ATI Detailed Answer Key Medical Surgical Related

Review ATI Detailed Answer Key Medical Surgical related questions and content

Priority Decision: The nurse prepares to interview a patient for a nursing history but finds the patient in obvious pain. Which action by the nurse is the best at this time?

  • A. Delay the interview until the patient is free of pain.
  • B. Administer pain medication before initiating the interview.
  • C. Gather as much information as quickly as possible by using closed questions that require brief answers.
  • D. Ask only those questions pertinent to the specific problem and complete the interview when the patient is more comfortable.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Delay the interview until the patient is free of pain.' Pain can interfere with concentration and communication, making it difficult for the patient to provide accurate information. Delaying the interview ensures better quality data collection once the patient is comfortable.