A nurse working in a healthcare provider's office is interviewing ...

[CBme]

A nurse working in a healthcare provider's office is interviewing a client who reports experiencing daily migraines. The nurse decides to further assess the impact of the client's pain. Which assessment tool is most appropriate to use for this client?
 
  1. Psychologic well-being inventory.
  2. Body Diagram tool.
  3. Intensity rating scale.
  4. Brief Pain Inventory.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a client admitted with severe abdominal pain. Which are essential components of a pain assessment?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. Description of the pain.
  2. Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure.
  3. Pain intensity rating.
  4. Family medical history.
  5. Previous pain experience.
  Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5

[heyhey123]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4

Migraine pain is chronic in nature and, therefore, a multidimensional tool such as the Brief Pain Inventory is the most useful for assessing two or more elements of the pain and the impact of pain on daily living. A unidimensional tool such as the Body Diagram and intensity rating scale is useful for assessing pain severity at the time the client is experiencing pain. A psychological well-being inventory may yield information about the impact of pain on the client's sense of well-being but is not designed to specifically assess the elements of pain.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5

The nurse assessing the client will need to determine characteristics of the pain. These characteristics, expressed by the client, will aid in the management of the condition. The vital signs of the client reporting acute pain will likely provide supportive information concerning the pain being experienced. An integral part of the definition of pain is that it is what the individual reports it to be. The degree of intensity will be needed to determine the level of pain being experienced. The degree of pain intensity assessment will be a key component in the interventions being used to manage the pain. An individual's past experience with pain is a determining factor in the ability to manage pain. Past experience will also impact reports of pain by the client. While the family medical history is a component of a generalized health assessment it is not specific to the assessment of pain.