The nurse is caring for an older adult client with a history of osteoarthritis who is having difficulty walking due to increased right knee pain. To assess the quality of the client's knee pain, which approach should the nurse use?
Ask the client to describe the pain.
Observe body language and movement.
Identify effective pain relief measures.
Provide a numeric pain scale.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Asking the client to describe the pain is essential as it provides subjective information about the pain's quality, intensity, and impact on daily activities, which is crucial for assessing osteoarthritis pain.
Choice B reason: Observing body language and movement can offer insights into the pain's impact on function, but it does not replace the client's verbal description of the pain experience.
Choice C reason: Identifying effective pain relief measures is part of managing osteoarthritis but does not directly assess the quality of the client's knee pain.
Choice D reason: Providing a numeric pain scale is a method to quantify pain intensity but may not fully capture the quality or characteristics of the pain.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reviewing the medical record for the date of insertion is important but does not address the immediate concern of pain or potential complications at the IV site.
Choice B reason: Applying ice and then a warm compress may be used for phlebitis or infiltration, but if the client is experiencing pain, the priority is to address the potential for complications.
Choice C reason: Documentation is a necessary step, but it should not be the first action taken when a client reports pain at the IV site.
Choice D reason: If the IV site is painful, it may be indicative of infiltration, phlebitis, or another complication. The nurse should discontinue the painful IV and insert a new one at a different site to prevent further discomfort and potential harm to the client.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Encouraging the client to lie still during the assessment is not advisable as it does not provide an accurate representation of the client's functional abilities and needs during rehabilitation.
Choice B reason: While understanding episodes of sundowning can be part of a comprehensive assessment, it is not the action the nurse should implement during a functional assessment aimed at determining the client's physical capabilities.
Choice C reason: Assisting with values clarification about end-of-life care options is important but is not the primary focus of a functional assessment in a rehabilitation setting.
Choice D reason: Questioning the client about the frequency of falls is crucial as it helps assess the risk of future falls and the need for interventions to prevent them, which is a key component of functional assessments in rehabilitation settings.
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