When assessing a client's pain, the nurse determines the location and intensity of the pain. To gather data about the quality of the pain, which action should the nurse take?

Ask the client to describe the pain experienced.

Provide the client with a visual analog scale.

Instruct the client in use of a numeric pain scale.

Gently palpate the area and observe the response.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Asking the client to describe the pain is the most direct way to gather information about the quality of the pain. This approach allows the client to express characteristics such as whether the pain is sharp, dull, burning, aching, throbbing, or stabbing.
B.   A visual analog scale (VAS) is useful for assessing the intensity of pain, not the quality. The VAS typically involves a line with endpoints representing no pain and worst possible pain, where the client marks their pain level.
C.   The numeric pain scale is designed to measure the intensity of pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. Like the VAS, this scale assesses pain intensity rather than quality.
D.   Palpation and observing the client's response can help assess the location and intensity of pain, particularly if there are physical findings associated with the pain. However, this method does not provide information about the pain’s quality, such as its character or nature.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. While voiding after intercourse can help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), it is not directly related to preventing vaginal tears. This practice is more relevant for preventing infections rather than addressing the issue of tissue trauma or dryness that may lead to tearing.
B. Regular well-woman exams are important for overall gynecological health and early detection of potential issues, but they do not directly address the immediate concern of preventing vaginal tears during intercourse.
C. Vaginal dryness is a common issue in older women, often due to decreased estrogen levels. Dryness can make vaginal tissues more susceptible to tearing during intercourse. Using vaginal lubricants can help reduce friction and prevent tears, making this the most relevant and practical advice for the client in this situation.
D. While certain positions may be more comfortable and could potentially reduce the risk of tearing, this advice is secondary to addressing the fundamental issue of vaginal dryness. Focusing on lubrication provides a more direct and effective approach to preventing tears.

A. Protein. B. Hemoglobin. C. White blood cell count D. Sodium.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. While protein levels are important in assessing overall nutritional status and can indicate conditions like malnutrition or liver disease, they are not the primary focus in the context of fever, dry mucous membranes, and skin turgor changes.
B. Hemoglobin levels are crucial for assessing anemia and overall oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Although dehydration can potentially concentrate hemoglobin levels, it is not the primary laboratory value to monitor in the context of the acute symptoms
C. The white blood cell count is important for diagnosing infections and understanding the body's response to illness. However, in this scenario, the primary concern is dehydration, which is not directly measured by WBC count. While an elevated WBC could indicate an infection contributing to the fever, it is not the primary laboratory value to monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
D. Sodium is a key electrolyte that can be significantly affected by dehydration. Dry mucous membranes, inelastic skin turgor, and a fever suggest potential fluid loss and dehydration, which can lead to imbalances in sodium levels. Monitoring sodium levels is crucial because dehydration often results in elevated sodium concentrations (hypernatremia), which can have serious implications for the client’s health.

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When assessing a client's pain, the nurse determines the location and intensity of the pain. To gather data about the quality of the pain, which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An elderly woman comes to the clinic because of vaginal bleeding. The healthcare provider finds a vagina tear, which the client reports is likely to have occurred during sexual intercourse. Which content is most important for the nurse to include in this client's teaching plan?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

An older adult client's skin feels warm and the client has a temperature of 101.2° F (38.4° C). The nurse further assesses that the client has a reddened tongue, dry mucous membranes, and inelastic skin turgor. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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