A patient is being treated for chronic pain. What should the nurse keep in mind when assessing this patient's level of pain?
1. The pain rating may be inconsistent with the underlying pathology.
2. There is usually a clear, physiologic cause.
3. Pain typically lasts 2 months or less.
4. The pain reported is usually less severe than acute pain.
Correct Answer: 1
The patient might not exhibit signs of pain such as elevations in vital signs, grimacing, writhing, or moaning. Chronic pain may persist for longer than 2 months and may not have an identified physiologic cause. There is no indication that chronic pain is less severe than acute pain, although in some instances it may be more diffuse.
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