A client with unilateral hearing loss is admitted for a scheduled surgery. Which technique should the nurse use to provide education about pain relief options?

The correct answer is Choice D

Choice A rationale: Splinting with a pillow may reduce discomfort during movement or coughing by stabilizing the incision site, but it does not address acute postoperative pain with sympathetic overdrive. The elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure suggest a stress response mediated by catecholamines. Without analgesia, nociceptive signals continue to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. While splinting is supportive, it lacks the pharmacologic efficacy needed to blunt nociceptive transmission at the spinal or supraspinal level.

Choice B rationale: Assessing IV patency is a procedural prerequisite for medication administration but not a therapeutic intervention in itself. It does not directly address the pathophysiology of acute pain or the sympathetic surge evidenced by tachycardia and hypertension. Pain activates ascending pathways via A-delta and C fibers, requiring pharmacologic blockade. IV access assessment is necessary but secondary to the urgent need for analgesia to prevent complications like hypoxia, hyperventilation, or delayed recovery.

Choice C rationale: High Fowler positioning may improve diaphragmatic excursion and reduce pulmonary complications, but it does not mitigate visceral or incisional pain. In fact, increased intra-abdominal pressure from upright posture may exacerbate pain at the surgical site. Pain perception involves central sensitization and peripheral nociceptor activation, which are unaffected by positioning. The client’s pale skin and elevated vitals indicate systemic distress requiring analgesic intervention, not postural adjustment. Thus, this choice lacks direct analgesic benefit.

Choice D rationale: IV analgesics act rapidly to inhibit nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord and brainstem levels. Opioids bind to mu receptors, reducing neurotransmitter release and hyperpolarizing neurons, thereby dampening pain signals. This intervention directly targets the physiologic cause of elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Normal heart rate is 60–100 bpm, respiratory rate 12–20 breaths/min, and BP <120/80 mmHg. Prompt analgesia prevents complications like hypoxia, delayed healing, and neuroendocrine stress

A) Incorrect- Clarify reality with the client about delusional thoughts: Attempting to correct the client's delusional thoughts might cause frustration and agitation. Clients with Alzheimer's disease may have difficulty comprehending and retaining reality-based information.
B) Incorrect- Reduce the client's interaction with others during the day: Social interaction is important for clients with Alzheimer's disease to maintain engagement and prevent feelings of isolation. Reducing interaction could worsen their emotional well-being.
C) Correct- Clients with Alzheimer's disease often experience cognitive impairments and may have delusional thoughts or confusion, such as believing deceased loved ones are still alive. Nonpharmacological interventions are crucial to provide comfort and manage challenging behaviors. Distraction techniques involve redirecting the client's attention away from the delusion and onto a different, engaging activity. This can help decrease distress and anxiety related to their delusional thoughts. Therapeutic communication skills, such as validating the client's feelings and emotions, can also be beneficial. Simply telling the client that their mother is deceased may cause distress and confusion. Instead, providing comfort, empathizing with their emotions, and redirecting their focus can be more effective in managing the situation.
D) Incorrect- Awaken the client for reality checks every 4 hours at night: Disrupting the client's sleep schedule could lead to increased confusion and restlessness. It's important to provide a calm and consistent sleep routine for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.