Which of the following actions would the nurse prioritize for the patient who is experiencing chronic back pain that interferes with activities of daily living (ADLs)?
a. Maintain a pain journal to document quality of his pain experience.
b. Meet with the healthcare team to discuss a pain management plan.
c. Attempt to take only analgesic medication when absolutely needed.
d. Suggest use of a deep-pressure back massage with effleurage technique.
B
With complex pain management that has been unsuccessful in the past, it is important to collaborate with other members of the team to consider alternative approaches. A pain journal is a useful assessment tool for collection of patient subjective and objective pain experiences, which would aid the healthcare team in developing a collaborative pain management plan with the patient. Taking a prescribed analgesic is important for keeping the pain threshold at a tolerable level. Once the patient "gets behind" on managing pain, it is more difficult to achieve control. The goal of pain management is that chronic pain does not prevent the patient from performing activities of daily living. Although massage has been shown to be effective in reducing pain by providing cutaneous stimulation and relaxing the muscles, the priority is to develop an effective, comprehensive pain management plan that might also include nonpharmacological interventions, such as massage. However, in the case of chronic back pain, the patient should consult the provider before seeking deep massage therapy. Effleurage, or the use of slow, long guiding strokes, is used for obstetrical patients during labor.
You might also like to view...
The nurse has completed a community presentation about the changes of pregnancy. Which statement by a community member indicates that learning has occurred? "One probable or objective change of pregnancy is:
1. "Enlargement of the uterus." 2. "Hearing the baby's heart rate." 3. "Increased urinary frequency." 4. "Nausea and vomiting."
A postoperative patient with an ostomy is at risk for loss of fluid volume and electrolyte imbalance. Which assessments indicate such loss? (Select all that apply.)
a. Changing mental status b. Twitching c. Poor skin turgor d. Moist mucous membranes e. Weakness
The nurse recognizes a need for further information when a young woman with gestational diabetes says:
a. "Gestational diabetes results from the hormonal changes of pregnancy." b. "I will need to exercise regularly and lose weight to reduce my risk of becoming a diabetic." c. "I'll be free of diabetes when this baby is born." d. "The baby will have to be monitored for hypoglycemia during my pregnancy."
Some ways that nurses set priorities are listed below. Which is not necessarily correct?
a. Apply the nursing process. b. Constantly reassess patient care needs. c. Delegate all duties to others. d. Constantly re-prioritize patient care needs.