A patient with chronic orthopedic pain is considering the use of ...

[waynest]

A patient with chronic orthopedic pain is considering the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator to reduce the pain. What advantages of using this device should the nurse review with the patient?
 
  1. avoiding the adverse effects of pain medication
  2. low cost
  3. can be used by all patients
  4. can relieve all types of pain

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from surgery. Which intervention will provide the most pain relief for the patient?
 
  1. Offer pain relief before the patient complains of pain.
  2. Wait until the patient can describe the pain specifically.
  3. Assess the pain level every 4 hours around the clock.
  4. Allow the patient to sleep off the anesthesia, then offer pain medication.

[Christopher]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator has the advantages of avoidance of adverse drug effects, patient control, and good interaction with other therapies. Disadvantages of this device are the cost and the need for expert training. This device is not effective at relieving all types of pain or for all patients. Patients with pacemakers should not use this device.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Anticipating a patient's pain will ensure a more manageable pain experience than will waiting until the patient complains of pain. Pain management needs to be implemented before the patient describes specific postoperative pain or sleeps off anesthesia. The patient should not be awakened to assess pain unless there are other significant nonverbal signs during sleep that indicate the patient is in pain. These can include grimacing, moaning, thrashing, or guarding of a surgical site.

[waynest]

Thank you

[Christopher]

No problemo