Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing Care: Concepts, Connections & Skills - Pain Management, Rest, and Restorative Sleep Related

Review Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing Care: Concepts, Connections & Skills - Pain Management, Rest, and Restorative Sleep related questions and content

Your patient reports having severe pain at an 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. You notice that her vital signs are all within normal range. Which of the following statements accurately explains the normal vital signs?

  • A. The patient is not really hurting if the blood pressure and pulse are not elevated.
  • B. Acute pain does not generally elevate the vital signs.
  • C. The body learns to adapt to chronic pain and therefore does not elevate the vital signs.
  • D. The patient is having nociceptor pain, which does not affect the vital signs.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Chronic pain, unlike acute pain, often does not elevate vital signs as the body adapts over time, explaining the normal vital signs in this scenario.