The nurse in the surgery clinic is discussing an upcoming surgical procedure with a client. What information provided by the nurse is most appropriate for the client's long-term outcome?

Question

a. "At least you know that the pain after surgery will diminish quickly."
b. "Discuss acceptable pain control after your operation with the surgeon."
c. "Opioids often cause nausea but you won't have to take them for long."
d. "The nursing staff will give you pain medication when you ask them for it."

Answer 1

ANS: B
The best outcome after a surgical procedure is timely and satisfactory pain control, which diminishes the likelihood of chronic pain afterward. The nurse suggests that the client advocate for himself and discuss acceptable pain control with the surgeon. Stating that pain after surgery is usually short lived does not provide the client with options to have personalized pain control. To prevent or reduce nausea and other side effects from opioids, a multimodal pain approach is desired. For acute pain after surgery, giving pain medications around the clock instead of waiting until the client requests it is a better approach.