A postoperative patient is awake but cannot speak because of an endotracheal tube. Which method is most appropriate for assessing pain?
Correct answer: A. Use a validated behavioural pain assessment scale
- A. Use a validated behavioural pain assessment scale
- B. Assume the patient has no pain because vital signs are stable
- C. Ask the family to estimate the patient’s pain score
- D. Wait until the patient can speak before giving prescribed analgesia
Explanation
A validated behavioural scale can assess pain through facial expression, body movement and response to care when self-report is not possible. Stable vital signs do not exclude pain, and treatment should not be delayed solely because the patient cannot speak.
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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.
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