A nurse is planning to collect data on the pain level of a 3-year-old child. Which of the following pain rating scales should the nurse plan to use?

Choice A reason:

The nurse should not recommend drinking warm tea before bed for a pregnant client. Certain herbal teas might not be safe during pregnancy, and caffeine-containing teas should be limited due to their potential effects on the fetus. Therefore, it is best to avoid suggesting this option to the client.

Choice B reason:

This is the correct choice as relaxation exercises can be beneficial for pregnant clients who are experiencing difficulty sleeping. These exercises can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality without any adverse effects on the client or the baby.

Choice C reason:

The nurse should avoid recommending that the client sleep on their right side. While the left side is generally recommended during pregnancy to improve blood flow to the placenta and baby, sleeping on the right side is not harmful either. However, it is better to provide the most suitable option for promoting sleep, which is relaxation exercises as mentioned in Choice B.

Choice D reason:

Soaking in a hot tub for 60 minutes is not advisable during pregnancy. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, such as in hot tubs or saunas, can raise the body's core temperature, potentially causing harm to the developing fetus. Pregnant individuals should avoid hot tubs to prevent overheating.

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.