A client with appendicitis in the emergency department is highly agitated and states that there is a great deal of pain. Which of the following interventions will the nurse plan to assist the client to achieve the outcome of decreased anxiety?
1. Assess pain levels every 2 hours and administer ordered medication
2. Administer pain medications when the client complains of pain
3. Distract the client with ambulation
4. Provide reading material to help distract the client
1. Assess pain levels every 2 hours and administer ordered medication
Rationale:
The extreme pain experienced by the client with appendicitis is the source of the client's anxiety. Assessing pain levels every 2 hours and administering medications before the pain gets intense is the best intervention for anxiety. Waiting until the client complains of pain makes pain relief more difficult and increases anxiety. Distraction does not work when clients have severe pain but is more appropriate for those with chronic pain.
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