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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Swaddle the newborn during the treatment. Choice A reason:
Apply lotion to the newborn's skin twice per day. Rationale: The nurse should not apply lotion to the newborn's skin during phototherapy. Phototherapy involves exposing the baby's skin to light to treat hyperbilirubinemia. Applying lotion may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment or cause adverse reactions.
Choice B reason:
Check the newborn's blood glucose every 2 hours. Rationale: While monitoring the newborn's blood glucose is an essential part of neonatal care, it is not directly related to phototherapy or the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. Glucose monitoring is typically done to assess for hypoglycemia or other metabolic disturbances.
Choice C reason:
Swaddle the newborn during the treatment. Rationale: The newborn should not be swaddled during phototherapy because it limits exposure of the skin to the phototherapy lights, which is essential for reducing bilirubin levels.
Choice D reason:
Remove the newborn's eye mask during feedings. Rationale:The eye mask is used to protect the newborn's eyes from the bright lights during phototherapy, but it can be removed for feeding. It’s important to ensure that the newborn is fed properly, so removing the mask during feeding is a reasonable and necessary intervention.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The nurse should provide the client with a carbonated beverage as a nonpharmacologic intervention to reduce pain from intestinal gas. Carbonated beverages, like soda or sparkling water, can help alleviate gas by promoting burping, which releases trapped gas from the digestive system. The effervescence of the carbonated drink can help relieve the discomfort caused by accumulated gas, offering relief to the client.
Choice B reason:
Encouraging the client to lie on their right side is not an effective nonpharmacologic intervention for reducing pain from intestinal gas. Although positioning can sometimes aid in relieving discomfort, lying on the right side does not specifically target the reduction of gas. Therefore, it is not the most appropriate choice in this scenario.
Choice C reason:
Encouraging the client to ambulate is a beneficial nonpharmacologic intervention for various post-operative conditions. However, when it comes to reducing pain from intestinal gas, it may not be as effective as other options. While movement can aid in gas passage through the digestive system, it might not be the most immediate or direct solution for alleviating the client's discomfort.
Choice D reason:
Providing the client with straws for beverages does not directly address the issue of intestinal gas. It is an unrelated intervention and may not provide any significant relief for the client's discomfort.
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