A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum, reports an allergy to aspirin, and states that they are in pain. The nurse should identify which of the following medications as safe to administer to the client?

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.

Choice A reason:

Breast changes are considered a presumptive sign of pregnancy. This means they are subjective indications reported by the woman and may not be definitive evidence of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the woman's breasts may undergo various changes such as tenderness, enlargement, and darkening of the areolas. These changes are primarily due to hormonal fluctuations and increased blood flow to the breast tissue.

Choice B reason:

Ballottement is not a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Ballottement is a clinical maneuver performed by a healthcare provider to assess the mobility of the fetus in the amniotic fluid. It involves tapping on the cervix and feeling for a rebound from the floating fetus. While it is an indication of pregnancy, it is not considered a presumptive sign as it requires a trained professional to detect.

Choice C reason:

Urinary frequency is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growing uterus can put pressure on the bladder, leading to increased urinary frequency. However, urinary frequency can also be caused by other factors such as urinary tract infections, so it is not a definitive sign of pregnancy.

Choice D reason:

Nausea, specifically morning sickness, is a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Many pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester, due to hormonal changes. However, nausea can also be caused by various other conditions, making it a presumptive rather than a confirmatory sign of pregnancy.

Choice E:

A positive pregnancy test is a probable sign of pregnancy rather than a presumptive sign. Pregnancy tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy. A positive test provides strong evidence of pregnancy, but it is not considered a presumptive sign as it is an objective finding rather than a subjective symptom reported by the woman.