What is the most appropriate way to assess the pain of a patient who is oriented and has recently had surgery?
a. Assess the patient's body language.
b. Observe cardiac monitor for increased heart rate.
c. Ask the patient to rate the level of pain.
d. Ask the patient to describe the effect of pain on the ability to cope.
ANS: C
Pain is a subjective measure. Therefore, the best way to assess a patient's pain is to ask the patient to rate the pain. Nonverbal communication, such as body language, is not as effective in assessing pain, especially when the patient is oriented. Heart rate sometimes increases when a patient is in pain, but this is not a symptom that is specific to pain. Pain sometimes affects a patient's ability to cope, but assessing the effect of pain on coping assesses the patient's ability to cope; it does not assess the patient's pain.
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