What is the most effective way to evaluate the patient's pain response after administering an opioid analgesic?
A) Observe the patient when he/she is not aware you are assessing him/her.
B) Ask another nurse to assess the patient's response to the medication.
C) Using a pain scale, ask the patient to describe the pain.
D) Ask the family to determine the patient's response to the pain.
C
Feedback:
Asking the patient to describe the pain using a pain scale is the most effective assessment of pain response. Observing the patient when he/she is unaware is an objective assessment and does not represent a true pain experience. Asking another nurse to assess the patient's response will not provide accurate data. Asking the family to determine the patient's response will not provide accurate data.
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