A nurse is caring for a 9-year-old client who is immediately postoperative. The client is nonverbal and has both cognitive and developmental delays. Which of the following pain scales should the nurse use to evaluate the client's pain?
FACES Scale.
Numerical scale.
FLACC pain assessment scale.
Visual analog scale.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
The FACES Scale is a visual pain scale typically used for children who can understand and verbalize their pain intensity. It consists of a series of faces with varying expressions, from smiling to crying, to help the child express their pain level. However, since the client in question is nonverbal and has cognitive and developmental delays, this scale may not be suitable as they might not be able to communicate using this tool effectively.
Choice B reason:
The Numerical Scale involves asking the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. While this scale is commonly used for older children and adults, it may not be appropriate for a nonverbal and developmentally delayed 9-year-old client, as they may not understand or be able to use numbers effectively to express their pain.
Choice C reason:
The FLACC pain assessment scale is designed for nonverbal or preverbal individuals, including children and those with cognitive impairments. FLACC stands for Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability. Each category is scored from 0 to 2 or 0 to 3, depending on the version used, based on specific observed behaviors. The scores are then totaled to give an overall pain assessment. This scale is particularly suitable for the current client's condition as it focuses on observable behaviors rather than verbal communication.
Choice D reason:
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) requires the patient to mark a point along a line that represents their pain intensity, with one end indicating no pain and the other end indicating the worst pain. Although this scale is useful for older children and adults, it may not be appropriate for a 9-year-old client with cognitive and developmental delays who might not fully comprehend the concept of the scale.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The statement "I will discard insulin bottles 60 days after opening”. is incorrect. Insulin bottles typically have a shorter shelf life after opening, usually around 28 days. Discarding them after 60 days could lead to using ineffective insulin, which can be harmful to the individual's blood sugar control.
Choice B reason:
This statement is incorrect. Excessive insulin use can cause hypoglycemia which is aggravated by involvement in streneous exercise.
Choice C reason:
The statement "If I feel dizzy, I will drink 4 ounces of orange juice”. is correct. A feeling of dizziness is an early sign of hypoglycemia. Client should be encouraged to take simple acrbohydrayes when tehy experience any symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia
Choice D reason:
The statement "A hemoglobin A1c of 9 percent is a good goal”. is incorrect. Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. An A1c of 9 percent is relatively high and suggests poor diabetes management. The target A1c goal for most people with diabetes is typically below 7 percent, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Obtaining vital signs is essential in assessing the child's overall condition, but it is not the first action the nurse should take in this situation. The priority is to address the immediate concern of difficulty breathing.
Choice B reason:
Stopping the IV infusion is the most critical action the nurse should take first. Difficulty breathing can be a sign of a severe allergic reaction, and if it is related to the IV cefuroxime, stopping the infusion will prevent further administration of the medication and possibly worsening the reaction.
Choice C reason:
Administering epinephrine IM is not the first-line action in this scenario. Epinephrine is used in severe anaphylactic reactions, but it should not be given without a proper evaluation of the situation and a clear indication for its use.
Choice D reason:
Monitoring intake and output is an important nursing intervention, but it is not the priority when the child is experiencing difficulty breathing. Addressing the respiratory distress should be the initial focus to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
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