Population Specific Care Related

Review Population Specific Care related questions and content

A new nurse asks, 'My elderly patient has Lewy body disease. What should I do about assessing for pain?' Select the best response from the nurse manager.

  • A. Ask the patients family if they think the patient is experiencing pain.'
  • B. Use a visual analog scale to help the patient determine the presence and severity of pain.'
  • C. There are special scales for assessing patients with dementia. Lets review how to use them.'
  • D. The perception of pain is diminished by this type of dementia. Focus your assessment on the patients mental status.'
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Lewy body disease is a form of dementia. There are special scales to assess the presence and severity of pain in patients with dementia. The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale evaluates breathing, negative vocalizations, body language, and consolability. A patient with dementia would be unable to use a visual analog scale. The family may be able to help the nurse gain perspective about the pain, but this strategy alone is inadequate. The other distracters are myths.