The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with shingles who complains of constant pain along the sciatic nerve. What intervention best helps to provide pain relief?
a. Distract the patient with conversation.
b. Massage the area of pain.
c. Move the affected leg through range-of-motion (ROM).
d. Change the patient's position frequently.
A
Distraction, guided imagery, and deep muscle relaxation may help reduce pain. Massage to the affected area will result in disruption in the vesicles of the disease. This disruption will delay healing and cause further discomfort. ROM and changing of positions are needed for patients with shingles in the event they are not mobile, but these actions will not reduce the discomfort.
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