A client had surgery yesterday and is complaining of pain. The best action by the nurse is to
a. ask the patient which pain medication she/he took last.
b. do a complete assessment of the pain.
c. prepare to administer the ordered pain medication.
d. record the client's complaints thoroughly and get the pain medication.
B
This is an example of symptom analysis. Nurses should use a recognized approach to fully assess each client complaint, such as the OLDCART or PQRST method. It is best to understand the source of a complaint before treating it. In this case, the postoperative client could be having a nonrelated problem such as angina. Without a further assessment, the nurse would administer the postoperative pain medication, which might mask the new symptoms or delay diagnosis and treatment.
You might also like to view...
The nurse manager asks staff members to work as a group in planning the activities for Nurses' Week. The nurse manager should report to the supervisor that which type of group has been formed?
1. Command group 2. Task group 3. Competing group 4. Informal group
In adults over age 80, the greatest dietary concern is
a. preventing weight gain. b. increasing lean body mass. c. maintaining adequate nutritional status. d. preventing coronary heart disease and cancer.
A nurse working in obstetrics helps new mothers bond with their children. Which observation might make the nurse concerned? Select all that apply
A. Mother appeared frightened of her newborn and avoided touching him. B. Mother continually praised her newborn and his nursing and sleeping. C. Mother constantly looked at and talked to her newborn. D. Mother kept touching her newborn, patting, hugging, and smiling at him. E. Mother said "Boys are tough" as she rather carelessly changed his diaper. F. Mother verbalized that the newborn did not seem to like her and left her infant alone.
Proper positioning of the small front wheels when the wheelchair is parked
A) makes transfers easier for the patient. B) prevents tipping and provides more stability. C) makes transfers easier for the nursing assistant. D) makes locking the brakes unnecessary, as the chair stays in place.