A patient rates postoperative pain as 8 on a 0 to 10 numeric scale before receiving prescribed analgesia. Which action best evaluates the response to treatment?
Correct answer: B. Reassess the pain after the expected onset of the analgesic
- A. Ask the patient to describe the pain only at the next shift
- B. Reassess the pain after the expected onset of the analgesic
- C. Record the pain as absent because medicine was administered
- D. Use the patient's pulse rate instead of asking about pain
Explanation
Pain is subjective, so the patient's rating remains the main measure of response. Reassessing after the expected onset of the analgesic shows whether pain intensity, function, and comfort have improved; pulse rate alone cannot measure pain accurately.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Vital Signs and Monitoring
Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and pain assessment. Coverage includes correct measurement sites and techniques, normal adult ranges, factors that alter readings, trends in patient observations, and the difference between an abnormal finding that needs reassessment and one requiring immediate reporting.
Practise Vital Signs and Monitoring
50 free Vital Signs and Monitoring MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Fundamentals of Nursing questions like this
Fundamentals of Nursing is on 9 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Vital Signs and Monitoring questions
A patient has just drunk a hot cup of tea. How should the nurse obtain an oral temperature accurately?
A medical ward patient suddenly becomes breathless and restless. The oxygen saturation is 86% on room air, compared with 97% two hours earlier. What should the nurse do first?
Which action gives the most accurate manual blood pressure measurement in an adult?
A patient has a regular radial pulse of 112 beats per minute while resting in bed. What should the nurse do first?
Which technique is correct when counting respirations in a conscious adult without making the patient change the breathing pattern?
Which adult oxygen saturation reading is generally expected when measured accurately on room air?