A nurse in an acute care center is caring for a client who just died. The client’s family requests to perform the postmortem care. Which of the following is an appropriate response for the nurse to make?

The correct answer is choice A. Use a communication board to interact with the client.

A communication board is a tool that allows the client to point to words, pictures, or symbols that express their needs, feelings, or pain level.

This is an effective way to communicate with a client who speaks a different language than the nurse and is unable to verbalize their pain.

Choice B is wrong because an assistive personnel who speaks the same language as the client is not a qualified interpreter and may not be able to convey the client’s pain accurately or maintain confidentiality.

Choice C is wrong because the FLACC scale is a measurement used to assess pain for children between the ages of 2 months and 7 years or individuals that are unable to communicate their pain.

It is not appropriate for a client who is 6 hours postoperative and can communicate their pain using a communication board.

Choice D is wrong because the FACES pain scale is a self-report measure of pain intensity developed for children.

It uses facial expressions to rate the severity of pain in children from 0-103.

It is not suitable for a client who speaks a different language than the nurse and may not understand the meaning of the faces.

The correct answer is choice D. The nurse should respect the client’s autonomy and offer assistance if needed.

The nurse should also assess the client’s pain level and provide adequate pain relief before helping the client get out of bed.

Choice A is wrong because it implies that the client is in pain and needs medication, which may not be true.

The nurse should ask the client about their pain level and offer medication if appropriate.

Choice B is wrong because it dismisses the client’s feelings and does not address the underlying issue of why the client does not want to be touched.

Choice C is wrong because it may make the client feel defensive or interrogated.

The nurse should use open-ended questions and active listening to explore the client’s concerns and fears.

According to web sources, postoperative care involves monitoring and managing the client’s vital signs, pain, wound healing, fluid and electrolyte balance, bowel and bladder function, mobility, and psychological status.

The nurse should also educate the client about self-care, wound care, activity restrictions, medication use, signs of complications, and follow-up appointments.

The nurse should also provide emotional support and reassurance to the client and their family.