When assessing the intensity of a patient's pain, which question ...

[RYAN BANYAN]

When assessing the intensity of a patient's pain, which question by the nurse is appropriate?
 
  a. What makes your pain better or worse?
  b. How much pain do you have now?
  c. How does pain limit your activities?
  d. What does your pain feel like?

Question 2

A 60-year-old woman has developed reflexive sympathetic dystrophy after arthroscopic repair of her shoulder. A key feature of this condition is that the:
 
  a. Affected extremity will eventually regain its function.
  b. Pain is felt at one site but originates from another location.
  c. Patient's pain will be associated with nausea, pallor, and diaphoresis.
  d. Slightest touch, such as a sleeve brushing against her arm, causes severe and intense pain.

[verrinzo]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Asking the patient how much pain do you have? is an assessment of the intensity of a patient's pain; various intensity scales can be used. Asking what makes one's pain better or worse assesses alleviating or aggravating factors. Asking whether pain limits one's activities assesses the degree of impairment and quality of life. Asking what does your pain feel like assesses the quality of pain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
A key feature of reflexive sympathetic dystrophy is that a typically innocuous stimulus can create a severe, intensely painful response. The affected extremity becomes less functional over time.

[RYAN BANYAN]

Excellent

[cassie_ragen]

TYSM