A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has disuse syndrome following cast removal from a lower extremity. Which of the following referrals should the nurse include in the plan of care?

The correct answer is: D.

Choice A reason: Asking a patient to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10 is a common method to assess the intensity of pain, not the quality. Zero indicates no pain, and ten represents the most severe pain imaginable. This scale is quantitative and helps in tracking the effectiveness of pain management over time.

Choice B reason: Inquiring if the pain is the same as it has been is a question that assesses the consistency or changes in the patient’s pain over time. It does not provide information about the quality of the pain but rather its course or any variations in the experience of pain.

Choice C reason: Asking whether the patient has any pain this morning is a question that determines the presence or absence of pain at a particular time. It does not elicit details about the nature or characteristics of the pain, which are essential to understanding its quality.

Choice D reason: Asking “What does your pain feel like?” is a qualitative question that aims to describe the characteristics of the pain, such as aching, stabbing, or burning. This information is crucial for diagnosing the cause of pain and tailoring appropriate treatment strategies. It directly addresses the quality of the pain, which is the focus of the nurse’s inquiry.

Running cool water over the affected area will help to decrease pain and prevent further tissue damage. Allowing the affected area to remain open to air will help to promote healing and prevent infection.

A. "Apply ice to the larger blisters" is an incorrect answer because applying ice can cause further damage to the skin and delay healing.

B. "Administer ibuprofen for pain" is an incorrect answer because the nurse cannot administer medications without a physician's order.

C. "Maintain skin integrity over the blisters" is an incorrect answer because maintaining skin integrity over the blisters can cause further damage and delay healing.

Explanation: The nurse should run cool water over the affected area and allow it to remain open to the air to promote healing and prevent infection. Applying ice or medication without a physician's order can cause further damage and delay healing.