Author Question: The nurse is caring for a client who denies having pain. The nurse notices the client grimacing and ... (Read 268 times)

MirandaLo · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for a client who denies having pain. The nurse notices the client grimacing and clenching his teeth when moving.

The client's spouse has asked the nurse why some people deny obvious pain. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
1. You should try to find out why your husband is denying the pain.
2. Have you talked to the healthcare provider about this?
3. Some people feel reporting their pain is a sign of weakness.
4. Maybe we are wrong and pain is not really bad.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for two clients involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Both clients required explorative abdominal surgery. Neither has received any pain medication in six hours and both have asked. However, one client is in greater distress than the other. Which pain theory is useful in explaining this phenomenon?
1. Pattern.
2. Specificity.
3. Stress.
4. Gate control.

sultana.d · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3

Adult clients may deny the presence of pain. Sometimes the denial is an effort not to appear weak. The spouse has sought assistance from the nurse; the nurse should attempt to respond to the inquiry. The spouse is asking for information that is within the scope of nursing practice. There is no need to refer to the healthcare provider at this time. The nonverbal behaviors indicate the presence of pain.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Gate control theory attempts to explain the involvement of the brain as well as nerve fibers in the pain experience. The involvement of the brain helps explain why painful stimuli are interpreted differently by people experiencing pain. Specificity theory holds that pain neurons are specific and unique, and the specific pain neurons transport the sensations directly to the brain. Pattern theory implies that the pattern of the stimulus is more important than the specific stimulus. It does not address the psychosocial component of pain. Stress may impact a client's perception of pain but is not a specific theory.