The nurse is caring for a preschool-aged client who is in pain ...

[laurencescou]

The nurse is caring for a preschool-aged client who is in pain secondary to a compound fracture resulting from a motor vehicle crash. The nurse recognizes which items as true when providing care to this client?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. It is best for the nurse to reason with the child in managing the pain.
  2. The child will often respond with crying and anger because he perceives pain as a threat to security.
  3. Try to avoid touching or holding the child to reduce the level of pain.
  4. Appeal to the child's belief in magic by using a magic blanket to take away pain.
  5. The child might consider pain a punishment for previous misbehaviors.

Question 2

The nurse working on the labor and delivery unit has noticed how differently each client responds to the pain associated with labor. Which reasons does the nurse attribute to these various responses to pain?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. Ethnic and cultural values
  2. Developmental stage
  3. Past experience with pain
  4. Physiological functioning of the brain
  5. Meaning of pain

[amandalm]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2,4,5
The preschool-aged client does not have the vocabulary or logic skills to perceive pain as a physiological response, so he will often respond with crying and anger because he sees the pain as threatening his security. A child at this stage of development has a strong belief in magic, which can be used as a pain management tool. Children often perceive pain as a punishment, so it is important for the nurse to reassure the child that it is not his fault. It is not possible to reason with a child at this stage of development, because he does not have the necessary cognitive ability. Holding and comforting the child is a useful pain management tool.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5
Clients with different ethnic and cultural values are socialized to respond to pain in different manners. The developmental stage determines the client's ability to cope and report the pain. Past experience, including the effectiveness of the treatment plan in the past, with pain will have an impact on how the client deals with pain. Pain has different meaning to different clients, with some clients believing it is a punishment from a higher power or an opportunity to show how strong they are. Physiological functioning affects how pain is felt but does not affect the pain experience.

[laurencescou]

Thank you

[amandalm]

No problemo