A patient with a new diagnosis of lymphoma is experiencing fatigue. Which of the ff. is the best way to assess her fatigue?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best way to assess a patient's fatigue is to have her rate her fatigue on a scale of 0 to 10. Fatigue is primarily a subjective symptom, and patients are the best source of information regarding their own levels of fatigue. Using a standardized scale allows for a more quantitative assessment of the severity of the fatigue experienced by the patient. This can also help in monitoring changes in fatigue over time and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at managing fatigue. While observing the patient's activity level (choice A) can provide some information, it may not always accurately reflect the subjective experience of fatigue. Monitoring for changes in vital signs (choice C) and assessing hemoglobin and hematocrit values (choice D) can be important in evaluating overall health status and potential causes of fatigue, but they do not directly assess the patient's subjective experience of fatigue.