A postoperative client is ordered pain medication every 4–6 hours for pain. The client has been asking for medication every six hours

Question

The nurse evaluates the client at 4 hours and finds that the client's pain level is 8 on a scale of 1–10, with 10 being the highest. When deciding to give the pain medication after 4 hours, the nurse: 1. Responded to a change in the client's condition.
2. Prioritized the client's care.
3. Performed time management.
4. Met a goal.

Answer 1

1. Responded to a change in the client's condition.

Rationale:
Each client has a plan of care, but, it is the nurse who constantly evaluates the client for changes that the nurse responds to, if needed. Prioritizing involves choosing tasks in order of importance. Time management is completing the assigned tasks in the given time frame by organizing and using efficiency. The goal has not been met if the client is experiencing pain.