Author Question: The postoperative client has been noting a steady decline in the amount of pain experienced over the ... (Read 89 times)

AEWBW · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The postoperative client has been noting a steady decline in the amount of pain experienced over the past week. Today, upon awakening, the pain is far more severe even at rest. Which priority intervention should the nurse perform for this client?

1. Assessing the client fully and notifying the health care provider
2. Explaining to the client that it is not unusual to have a recurrence of severe pain in the rehabilitative phase of recovery
3. Administering stronger opioid analgesics and documenting in the client's medical record
4. Explaining that the extra activity the client has been performing is the cause of the increased discomfort

Question 2

The nurse is administering a back massage to the client. Place the steps in the proper order of performance.

Click on the down arrow for each response in the right column and select the correct choice from the list.
Response 1. Massage the areas over the right and left iliac crests.
Response 2. Move your hands up the center of the back.
Response 3. Massage the sacral area using smooth, circular strokes.
Response 4. Massage both scapulae.
Response 5. Move your hands down the side of the back.

upturnedfurball · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1

A sudden increase in pain can indicate infection or other complications, so the nurse's priority intervention is to assess the client fully and notify the health care provider prior to administering an analgesic, in case the description of the pain is required for the primary care provider to determine cause. It is unusual for the recurrence of pain in the rehabilitative phase. Administering a strong analgesic without proper assessment is not appropriate. Telling the client that the increased discomfort is caused by extra activity is incorrect as it ignores the importance of the symptoms reported by the client.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3,2,4,5,1

When administering a back massage, the nurse begins over the sacral area, using smooth, circular strokes, and then slides the hands up the center of the back, massaging over both scapulae. Slide the hands down the side of the back to massage over both iliac crests.