The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of guided imagery for ...

[humphriesbr@me.com]

The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of guided imagery for pain management as used for a patient who has second- and third-degree burns and needs extensive dressing changes. Which finding best indicates the effectiveness of guided imagery?
 
  a. The patient's facial expressions are stoic during the procedure.
  b. The patient rates pain during the dressing change as a 6 on a scale of 0 to 10.
  c. The patient's need for analgesic medication decreases during the dressing changes.
  d. The patient asks for pain medication during the dressing changes only once throughout the procedure.

Question 2

A patient who had a motor vehicle crash 2 days ago is experiencing pain and is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which assessment finding indicates effective pain management with the PCA?
 
  a. The patient is sleeping and is difficult to arouse.
  b. The patient rates pain at a level of 2 on a 0 to 10 scale.
  c. The patient has sufficient medication left in the PCA syringe.
  d. The patient presses the control button to deliver pain medication.

[ghepp]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
If the patient needs less pain medication during dressing changes, then guided imagery is helping to manage the patient's pain. The purpose of guided imagery is to allow the patient to alter the perception of pain. Guided imagery works in conjunction with analgesic medications, potentiating their effects. A rating of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale indicates that the patient is having moderate pain and shows that this patient is not experiencing pain relief at this time. A person who is stoic is not showing feelings, which makes it difficult to know whether or not the patient is experiencing pain. Having to ask for pain medication during the dressing changes indicates the guided imagery is not effective.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
A level of 2 on a scale of 0 to 10 is evidence of effective pain management. The effectiveness of pain-relief measures is determined by the patient. If the patient is satisfied with the amount of pain relief, then pain measures are effective. A patient who is sleeping and is difficult to arouse is possibly oversedated; the nurse needs to assess this patient further. The amount of medication left in the PCA syringe does not indicate whether pain management is effective or not. Pressing the button shows that the patient knows how to use the PCA but does not evaluate pain management.