An oriented patient has recently had surgery. Which action is ...

[tichca]

An oriented patient has recently had surgery. Which action is best for the nurse to take to assess this patient's pain?
 
  a. Assess the patient's body language.
  b. Ask the patient to rate the level of pain.
  c. Observe the cardiac monitor for increased heart rate.
  d. Have the patient describe the effect of pain on the ability to cope.

Question 2

The patient and the nurse discuss the need for sleep. After the discussion, the patient is able to state factors that hinder sleep. Which statements indicate the patient has a good understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Drinking coffee at 7 PM could interrupt my sleep.
  b. Staying up late for a party can interrupt sleep patterns.
  c. Exercising 2 hours before bedtime can decrease relaxation.
  d. Changing the time of day that I eat dinner can disrupt sleep.
  e. Worrying about work can disrupt my sleep.
  f. Taking an antacid can decrease sleep.

[dudman123]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
One of the most subjective and therefore most useful characteristics for reporting pain is its severity. Therefore, the best way to assess a patient's pain is to ask the patient to rate the pain. Nonverbal communication, such as body language, is not as effective in assessing pain, especially when the patient is oriented. Heart rate sometimes increases when a patient is in pain, but this is not a symptom that is specific to pain. Pain sometimes affects a patient's ability to cope, but assessing the effect of pain on coping assesses the patient's ability to cope; it does not assess the patient's pain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, D, E
Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine consumed late in the evening produce insomnia. Worry over personal problems or situations frequently disrupts sleep. Alterations in routines, including changing mealtimes and staying up late at night for social activities, can disrupt sleep. Exercising 2 hours before bedtime actually increases a sense of fatigue and promotes relaxation. Taking an antacid does not decrease sleep.

[tichca]

TYSM

[kjohnson]

Excellent