The nurse is assessing a patient's pain. The nurse knows that the ...

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The nurse is assessing a patient's pain. The nurse knows that the most reliable indicator of pain would be the:
 
  a. Patient's vital signs.
  b. Physical examination.
  c. Results of a computerized axial tomographic scan.
  d. Subjective report.

Question 2

A patient has had arthritic pain in her hips for several years since a hip fracture. She is able to move around in her room and has not offered any complaints so far this morning. However, when asked, she states that her pain is bad this morning and
 
  rates it at an 8 on a 1-to-10 scale. What does the nurse suspect? The patient:
  a.
  Is addicted to her pain medications and cannot obtain pain relief.
  b.
  Does not want to trouble the nursing staff with her complaints.
  c.
  Is not in pain but rates it high to receive pain medication.
  d.
  Has experienced chronic pain for years and has adapted to it.

[swimkari]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The subjective report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Physical examination findings can lend support, but the clinician cannot exclusively base the diagnosis of pain on physical assessment findings.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Persons with chronic pain typically try to give little indication that they are in pain and, over time, adapt to the pain. As a result, they are at risk for underdetection.

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Gracias!

[ghepp]

TYSM