A patient verbalizes a low pain level of 2 out of 10 but exhibits extreme facial grimacing while moving around in bed. What is the nurse’s initial action in response to these observations?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ask the patient about the facial grimacing with movement. This is the initial action because the discrepancy between the patient's verbal pain level and non-verbal cues needs clarification. By directly asking the patient about the facial grimacing, the nurse can gather more information to assess the actual pain level accurately. This step ensures a comprehensive understanding of the patient's pain experience and guides further interventions.
Incorrect choices:
A: Proceed to the next patient’s room to make rounds - This choice neglects the need to address the discrepancy in the patient's pain assessment.
B: Determine the patient does not want any pain medicine - Assuming the patient's preference without further assessment can lead to inadequate pain management.
D: Administer the pain medication ordered for moderate to severe pain - Without clarifying the reason behind the facial grimacing, administering pain medication may not be appropriate and could result in unnecessary medication use.