The student nurse is working on the surgical floor. The student nurse is assigned to take care of a patient with hemiplegia and communication deficits from a previous stroke. The patient is 1-day postoperative from abdominal surgery

Question

Which of the following interventions would promote comfort and help the patient remain pain free? (Select all that apply.) a. Keep the bed sheet wrinkle free.
b. Only change wet dressings or bed linens once a shift.
c. Remove noxious stimuli from the room.
d. Continue to use the establish pain scale for this patient.
e. Give pain medication after ambulation down the hall.

Answer 1

A, C, D
One simple way to promote comfort is to remove or prevent painful stimuli. For example, tighten and smooth wrinkled bed linen and be sure to position patients off tubing and other equipment. Change wet dressings or bed linen immediately. Removing noxious stimuli is especially important for patients who are immobile. You can prevent pain by anticipating painful activities (e.g., ambulation, turning). Before performing a procedure, consider the patient's condition, aspects of the procedure that are painful, and ways to avoid causing pain. Always use an established pain scale to promote accurate assessment of pain.