Compared with acute pain, persistent pain requires the nurse to: ...

[geoffrey]

Compared with acute pain, persistent pain requires the nurse to:
 
  a. monitor vital signs more frequently.
  b. document the character of the pain as burning.
  c. administer analgesics at least every 4 hours.
  d. educate the client to the benefit of specific lifestyle changes.

Question 2

An older adult is being treated for severe pain resulting from a history of osteoarthritis. In her discharge teaching, which information is most important to relay for the successful management of the pain?
 
  a. Check for incompatibilities before taking any new medications.
  b. Arrange to take a dose of analgesic prior to physical activity.
  c. Take the analgesic around-the-clock as prescribed.
  d. Be alert for the signs of overdose toxicity.

[rachel]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Persistent pain can manifest itself as depression, eating and sleeping disturbances, and impaired function, all of which can lead to lifestyle changes. Persistent pain usually does not lead to markedly altered vital signs. Acute or persistent pain can manifest itself as a burning pain. Persis-tent pain has no time frame; it is continually persistent at varying levels of intensity.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
For someone with severe persistent pain it is important to achieve the highest level of pain con-trol; it is helpful to ease the memory of pain, especially for those whose persistent pain is in-tense, like that of many chronic illnesses. This means to prevent the pain, not simply relieve it. The most effective way to do this is to provide around-the-clock (ATC) dosing, at the appropri-ate dosage. The other options are appropriate medication-related instructions but are not as di-rected toward successful management of chronic pain as is the correct option.

[geoffrey]

Excellent

[bitingbit]

TYSM