A nurse is caring for a client who had radiation therapy, prescribed by their Oncologist, and is experiencing painful dermatitis.
The nurse should identify the client is experiencing which of the following types of pain?

The correct answer is choice A: Severity.

Choice A rationale:

When a nurse asks a client to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10, they are assessing the severity of the pain. This is a common method used in healthcare to quantify a patient’s pain level. It helps the healthcare provider understand the intensity of the pain from the patient’s perspective and plan appropriate interventions.

Choice B rationale:

Quality of pain refers to the characteristics or nature of the pain. For example, the pain could be described as sharp, dull, burning, aching, etc. In this case, the nurse is not asking about the quality of the pain.

Choice C rationale:

Region refers to the location of the pain. While the nurse knows that the client is experiencing back pain, asking the client to rate their pain on a scale doesn’t provide information about the specific region of the pain.

Choice D rationale:

Precipitating cause refers to what triggers or worsens the pain. The nurse’s question about rating the pain does not seek information about what might have caused or exacerbated the client’s back pain.

The correct answer is choice C.

Choice A rationale:

Lecture is a teaching method in which the instructor delivers information to the learners without actively involving them. In this scenario, the nurse is asking the client to explain the procedure in their own words, which is a more interactive approach than a lecture.

Choice B rationale:

Role play involves simulated situations where the learner acts out specific roles. This method is not being used here, as the nurse is not asking the client to act out the procedure.

Choice C rationale:

Teach-back, also known as the "teach-back method" or "closing the loop," is a teaching method where the nurse asks the client to explain the information they've been provided in their own words. This approach helps assess the client's understanding and retention of the information and allows for clarification if needed. It is a patient-centered and effective method for ensuring that the client comprehends the instructions and can be considered as a form of active learning, enhancing retention and autonomy in healthcare decision-making.