A 29-year-old woman tells the nurse that she has "excruciating pain" in her back. Which would be the nurse's appropriate response to the woman's statement?

a. "How does your family react to your pain?"
b. "The pain must be terrible. You probably pinched a nerve."
c. "I've had back pain myself, and it can be excruciating."
d. "How would you say the pain affects your ability to do your daily activities?"


ANS: D
The symptom of pain is difficult to quantify because of individual interpretation. With pain, adjectives should be avoided and the patient should be asked how the pain affects his or her daily activities. The other responses are not appropriate.

Nursing

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