The nurse is caring for a patient who has pain following abdominal surgery. Which of the following are independent nursing interventions that can be used to make the patient more comfortable? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Encourage the patient to relax and imagine that he is resting on a tropical beach.
b. Provide headphones so that the patient can listen to his favorite music.
c. Increase pain medication dosage if prescribed regimen is ineffective to manage pain.
d. Teach the patient to take pain medication before discomfort becomes severe.
e. Switch the patient from IV to oral pain medication when bowel sounds return.
f.
Demonstrate the use of relaxation breathing before painful procedures.

Answer 1

ANS: A, B, D, F
Independent nursing interventions may be carried out without an order from the physician. Changing medication orders must be done by the physician; increasing pain medication dosage and switching the patient to PO pain medications are not independent nursing interventions.