Author Question: The nurse working with patients in pain needs to recognize and avoid common misconceptions and myths ... (Read 131 times)

evelyn o bentley · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The nurse working with patients in pain needs to recognize and avoid common misconceptions and myths about pain. With respect to the pain experience, which of the following is correct?

a. The patient is the best authority on the pain experience.
b. Chronic pain is mostly psychological in nature.
c. Regular use of analgesics leads to drug addiction.
d. The amount of tissue damage is accurately reflected in the degree of pain perceived.

Question 2

During preoperative assessment for a 7:30 case, the patient indicates to the nurse that he had a cup of coffee this morning. The nurse reports this information to the anesthesia provider anticipating

a. A delay in or cancellation of surgery.
b. Questions regarding components of the coffee.
c. Additional questions about why the patient had coffee.
d. Instructions to determine what education was provided in the preoperative visit.

nmyers · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A

Feedback
A A patient's self-report of pain is the single most reliable indicator of the existence and intensity of pain and any related discomfort. Pain is subjective.
B A misconception about pain is that chronic pain is psychological.
C The belief that administering analgesics regularly will lead to drug addiction is a misconception.
D A misconception about pain is that the amount of tissue damage is accurately reflected in the degree of pain perceived.

Answer to Question 2

A
For fatty, fried, and meat sources, the recommended fast is 8 hours. Fasting from intake of a light meal or from nonhuman milk for 6 or more hours, breast milk for 4 or more hours, and clear liquids for 2 to 3 hours before elective procedures requiring general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or sedation is recommended. A delay in or cancellation of surgery will be in order for this case. Questions regarding components of the coffee (e.g., milk; can determine the length of time for a delay), asking why, and evaluating the preoperative education may all be items to be addressed, especially from a performance improvement perspective, but at this time in caring for this patient, a delay or cancellation is in order.