A nurse is assessing the pain status of a group of clients. Which of the following findings indicates a client is experiencing referred pain?
A client who has peritonitis reports generalized abdominal pain.
A client who has angina reports substernal chest pain.
A client who has pancreatitis reports pain in the left shoulder.
A client who is postoperative reports incisional pain.
The Correct Answer is C
Referred pain is pain that is felt in a location different from its source due to shared nerve pathways or central nervous system processing. A client who has pancreatitis may experience pain in the left shoulder due to irritation of the diaphragm by pancreatic enzymes or inflammation. This pain is referred from the abdominal cavity to the shoulder through the phrenic nerve.
A client who has peritonitis reports generalized abdominal pain that corresponds to the site of inflammation and infection in the peritoneum. A client who has angina reports substernal chest pain that reflects the ischemia and hypoxia of the myocardium. A client who is postoperative reports incisional pain that is caused by tissue damage and inflammation at the surgical site.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Applying an ice pack to the client's knee can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain after a total knee arthroplasty. The nurse should avoid placing pillows under the client's knee, as this can cause flexion contractures and impair mobility and healing. Massaging or manipulating the incision site can increase pain and risk of infection or bleeding. Range-of-motion exercises are important for recovery, but they should be done with caution and under supervision, not when the client is experiencing severe pain.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Confusion can be a sign of delirium, which is a common complication of immobility in older adults due to sensory deprivation, sleep disturbance, medication side effects, or dehydration. The nurse should assess for other causes of confusion, such as infection or hypoxia, and implement interventions to prevent or treat delirium.
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