When caring for an older adult client who does not speak English, ...

[bobbie]

When caring for an older adult client who does not speak English, which assessment tool is the most appropriate for the nurse to use to assess this client's pain?
 
  1. The FACES rating scale
  2. An interpreter
  3. The client's affect
  4. The client's vital signs

Question 2

The nurse is obtaining a pain history. The client reports pain in the right ear. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
 
  1. Is the pain minor?
  2. Do you have anything else that hurts?
  3. Tell me more about the pain and what you do for it when it hurts.
  4. I'll note that in the record. Is there anything else I should know?

[tdewitt]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

An interpreter might not always be readily available, so the FACES rating scale can be used because it is not necessary to use language. If an interpreter is available the nurse can ask the interpreter to discuss the pain in more detail, but the FACES rating scale will help the nurse to respond to the client's pain appropriately and quickly without waiting for an interpreter. Affect and vital signs might not be accurate indicators of the client's discomfort.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3

When the client reports pain, the nurse should seek more information. When assessing pain, the nurse should assesss all aspects of the pain, including character, onset, location, duration, exacerbation, relief, and radiation.

[bobbie]

Excellent

[bulacsom]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it