The nurse is interviewing an older adult client who is ...

[ap345]

The nurse is interviewing an older adult client who is complaining of joint pain. The client verbalizes that the pain has been present for a few years. Prior to continuing the client interview, which should the nurse recognize?
 
  1. Clients start to complain of many types of pain as they age.
  2. The joint pain is probably not the real reason the client is in the office.
  3. The client is most likely depressed.
  4. Older adults frequently avoid seeking treatment for their pain.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a client who is recovering from open-heart surgery. Which assessment data is most reflective of a client's pain response?
 
  1. Family report of pain.
  2. Response from the client based on use of a pain tool.
  3. Observations of the client's behaviors while asleep.
  4. Measurement of vital signs.

[Eunice618]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4

The older adult may perceive pain as part of the aging process. They typically do not complain of pain. They may fear that the treatment prescribed may limit their independence. There is no other information given to suggest that the client is depressed or has another cause for the visit.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
The use of a standardized pain tool that has been discussed with the client preoperatively will provide the most useful data. The family may perceive the client to be in pain when she is not. Observations of behavior while the client is asleep may indicate pain, but use of a tool while the client is awake would be more accurate. Vital sign changes may be a result of the body's response to surgery and not just specifically to pain.