A patient being admitted to determine the presence of an upper gastrointestinal bleed does not believe the diagnosis because of the absence of pain. How would the nurse respond to this patient?

Question

1. "Some patients have a high pain tolerance and are able to handle the condition better than others."
2. "Pain is not a typical symptom of this condition."
3. "You should share this with your physician next time you see him."
4. "You must be in the early stages of the disease because pain does not occur until later."

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Pain tolerance may have little to do with the absence of pain with this disorder.
Rationale 2: The majority of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is painless.
Rationale 3: The patient should share any concerns with the physician but this response does not address the patient's comment.
Rationale 4: This is misinformation regarding this disease process.