A nurse is caring for a client who is requesting to go to the bathroom immediately after a vaginal birth. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

Observing body language and movement is a valuable method for assessing pain, but it may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the client's pain experience. Clients may have different ways of expressing pain, and verbal communication should also be considered.

Choice B rationale:

Identifying effective pain relief measures is relevant but does not assess the quality of the pain itself. It focuses on pain management rather than pain assessment.

Choice C rationale:

Providing a numeric pain scale is a useful tool for quantifying pain intensity, but it does not assess the quality of pain, which is essential for understanding the nature of migraine headaches.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the client to describe the pain is the most appropriate approach for assessing the quality of pain. It allows the client to express the characteristics of the pain, such as its location, intensity, duration, and any associated symptoms, which can aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.

b) Return the patient to bed and maintain bed rest until the local flow stabilizes.

Explanation: The patient experienced a sudden guard while being assisted to the bathroom, which led to their hospitalization. The most appropriate action for the practical nurse (PN) in this situation is to prioritize the patient's safety and well-being. Returning the patient to bed and maintaining bed rest allows for stability and minimizes the risk of further complications or injury. By providing a safe and controlled environment, the PN can monitor the patient's condition and collaborate with the healthcare team to determine the appropriate course of action moving forward. Options a), c), and d) are not relevant or appropriate in this context.

a) Maximize funding and avoid undue pressure on the cesarean incision: This option is unrelated to the situation described. It mentions maximizing funding, which is not relevant to the patient's condition, and does not address the sudden guard experienced during bathroom assistance.

b) Adjust fluid consistency and continue to monitor the local flow amount: This option is not applicable to the situation described. It suggests adjusting fluid consistency and monitoring local flow, which do not address the sudden guard experienced by the patient.

c) Withhold bladder emptying until the Foley catheter is removed and contract the fundus: This option is not appropriate for the situation described. It refers to withholding bladder emptying until the Foley catheter is removed, which may not be necessary or relevant in this case. Contracting the fundus is also unrelated to the sudden guard experienced during bathroom assistance.