What is the most appropriate method for assessing a patient's pain level?
- A. Observe the patient's facial expressions.
- B. Use a standardized pain scale, such as 0-10.
- C. Ask the patient to rate their pain based on their mood.
- D. Ask the patient's family members to assess the pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate method for assessing a patient's pain level is to use a standardized pain scale, such as a 0-10 scale. This method provides an objective and consistent way to measure and communicate the intensity of pain experienced by the patient. Choice A, observing facial expressions, can be subjective and may not always accurately reflect the level of pain. Choice C, asking the patient to rate their pain based on their mood, may be influenced by various factors unrelated to pain. Choice D, involving the patient's family members in assessing the pain, is not ideal as pain is a subjective experience that should be reported by the patient themselves.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient is receiving enteral feedings through a nasogastric (NG) tube. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Flush the NG tube with water before and after each feeding.
- B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
- C. Administer medications through the NG tube every 4 hours.
- D. Increase the feeding rate if the patient is tolerating well.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the placement of the NG tube before each feeding is crucial as it ensures the tube is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration or improper delivery of feedings. Flushing the NG tube with water before and after each feeding can disrupt the feeding schedule and is not a standard procedure. Administering medications through the NG tube every 4 hours may not be necessary for all patients and should be based on specific medication requirements. Increasing the feeding rate without proper assessment and monitoring can lead to feeding intolerance or complications, making it an inappropriate intervention.
A client asks about becoming an organ donor. What information should the nurse provide?
- A. The process should be discussed with family first.
- B. The organ donation process should begin immediately.
- C. Organ donation can proceed even if the family disagrees.
- D. Donor cards must be signed in the presence of a witness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. For organ donation to be legally valid, the donor must sign consent documents in the presence of a witness. Choice A is incorrect because while discussing with family is important, it is not a legal requirement for organ donation. Choice B is incorrect as the organ donation process involves various steps and procedures that cannot begin immediately. Choice C is incorrect because organ donation typically requires consent and cooperation from the family if the donor is unable to provide consent.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that requires a peak and trough level. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer the medication before the peak level is obtained.
- B. Withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained.
- C. Administer the medication based on the previous trough level.
- D. Ensure that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's priority action should be to withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained. This is crucial to ensure accurate dosing based on the patient's levels. Administering the medication before the peak level is obtained (choice A) can lead to incorrect dosing. Administering the medication based on the previous trough level (choice C) may not reflect the current levels accurately. Ensuring that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level (choice D) is not necessary for obtaining accurate peak and trough levels.
Which intervention will best help a patient with chronic pain maintain mobility?
- A. Provide the patient with opioids to control pain.
- B. Encourage stretching exercises to improve flexibility.
- C. Teach the patient to use assistive devices like a cane.
- D. Recommend complete bed rest until the pain subsides.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging stretching exercises is the most appropriate nursing intervention to help a patient with chronic pain maintain mobility. Stretching exercises can improve flexibility, prevent stiffness, and promote better range of motion in patients with chronic pain. Providing opioids (Choice A) may help control pain but does not directly address mobility. Teaching the patient to use assistive devices (Choice C) may be beneficial but does not focus on improving mobility directly. Recommending complete bed rest (Choice D) can lead to deconditioning and further loss of mobility, which is not recommended for chronic pain management.
A nurse provides instructions to a client about preventing injury while using crutches. What should the nurse tell the client to avoid?
- A. An abnormal stance
- B. Injury to the nerves
- C. A fall and further injury
- D. Skin breakdown
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Injury to the nerves. Resting the underside of the arm on the crutch pad can injure the nerves. Choice A, an abnormal stance, is not directly related to nerve injury while using crutches. Choice C, a fall and further injury, is a general risk associated with improper crutch use but does not specifically address nerve injury. Choice D, skin breakdown, is a concern related to pressure ulcers but not the primary focus when discussing injury prevention related to crutch use.