What is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to include when performing pain assessment after giving an analgesic?

Ask about elements of the pain experience.

Question the client about precipitating factors.

Locate where in the body the pain occurs.

Apply a pain scale to describe intensity.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is choice D. Apply a pain scale to describe intensity.

Choice A rationale:

Asking about elements of the pain experience is important for a comprehensive pain assessment, but it is not the most critical aspect immediately after administering an analgesic. This step is more relevant during the initial assessment to understand the nature and characteristics of the pain.

Choice B rationale:

Questioning the client about precipitating factors can help identify what triggers the pain, which is useful for long-term pain management strategies. However, this is not the primary focus after giving an analgesic, as the immediate goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of the pain relief.

Choice C rationale:

Locating where in the body the pain occurs is essential for diagnosing and understanding the pain’s origin. However, after administering an analgesic, the priority is to assess the change in pain intensity rather than its location.

Choice D rationale:

Applying a pain scale to describe intensity is crucial after giving an analgesic because it provides a quantifiable measure of the pain relief achieved. This helps in determining the effectiveness of the medication and guides further pain management interventions.

By focusing on the pain intensity using a standardized pain scale, the practical nurse can objectively evaluate the patient’s response to the analgesic and make informed decisions about any additional pain management needs.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Ask the client to describe what happened.

Calling the agency-based client advocate (Choice A) should not be the first action taken in this situation. While involving an advocate might be necessary at some point, it is more appropriate to address the client's concerns and gather information about the incident first.

Completing a client adverse incident report (Choice C) is an important step to document theevent and any potential issues, but it should not be the first action taken. Before completing the report, the nurse needs to understand the situation from the client's perspective.

Informing the charge nurse of the situation (Choice D) is a reasonable step, but it should not be the first action. It may be necessary to escalate the issue, but understanding the situation from the client's viewpoint should be prioritized.

A. Increased diaphoresis during the day and night. B. Breast engorgement on the fourth postpartum day. C. Lochia color that changes to light pink or white. D. Sudden or persistent temperature above 100.5 F (38.0 C).

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

This is the finding that the PN should instruct the postpartum client to report to the charge nurse because it may indicate an infection, such as endometritis, mastitis, or urinary tract infection, that requires prompt treatment. The PN should also instruct the client to monitor for other signs of infection, such as foul-smelling lochia, redness or tenderness of the breasts, or dysuria.

A. Increased diaphoresis during the day and night is a normal finding in the postpartum period and does not need to be reported. It is caused by hormonal changes and ﬂuid shifts that occur after delivery.

B. Breast engorgement on the fourth postpartum day is a normal finding in the postpartum period and does not need to be reported. It is caused by increased blood ﬂow and milk production in the breasts.

C. Lochia color that changes to light pink or white is a normal finding in the postpartum period and does not need to be reported. It indicates that the uterine lining is healing and regenerating after delivery.

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What is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to include when performing pain assessment after giving an analgesic?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) tells the practical nurse (PN) that a male client is angry because the night shift took over 2 hours to bring him the pain medication he had to request three times. Which action should the PN implement first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) instruct the postpartum client to report to the charge nurse?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client with schizophrenia reports auditory hallucinations when admitted to the hospital. What question is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to include in the assessment of this client?

A client who had knee replacement surgery receives a prescription for enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously every 12 hours for 10 days. The medication is available in 30 mg per 0.3 mL prefilled syringes. How many mL should the practical nurse (PN) administer each day? (Enter numerical value only.).

While receiving report for a client with carcinoma in situ of the left breast, the practical nurse (PN) reviews a pending lab report and notices the client's Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) has decreased. Which changes should the PN anticipate to be included in the client's plan of care?

The medication aide at a long-term care facility is sick and requests to go home before all medications are administered. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) in charge of the unit take?

A 70-year-old male client who is convalescing from a hip replacement is identified as being at risk for developing a pressure ulcer. Which physical characteristic of aging contributes most to this risk factor?

The practical nurse (PN) is preparing for shift change. Which task has the highest priority and should be completed first?

During a home visit, the home health practical nurse (PN) observes an older client attempting to ambulate to the bathroom and notes that the client is unsteady and holds on to furniture while refusing any assistance. Which action should the PN implement?