The Nursing Process
The Nursing Process ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse performs an emergency assessment and asks the client, "How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?”. What is the nurse's rationale for asking this question?
To determine the severity and location of the pain. This is not the best answer because the nurse already knows that the client is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, which are signs of a possible cardiac problem. The nurse should also ask about the quality, radiation, and aggravating or relieving factors of the pain, not just the severity and location.
To establish a baseline for evaluating interventions. This is the best answer because the nurse needs to know how severe the pain is before administering any medication or treatment, and then reassess the pain after the intervention to see if it was effective. The pain scale is a useful tool to measure the intensity of pain and compare it over time.
To assess the client's coping skills and anxiety level. This is not the best answer because the nurse should focus on relieving the pain first, as it is an emergency situation. The nurse can assess the client's coping skills and anxiety level later, when the pain is under control.
To identify any factors that aggravate or relieve the pain. This is not the best answer because the nurse should ask this question along with other questions about the pain characteristics, not as a single question. The nurse should also prioritize relieving the pain rather than identifying factors that may or may not affect it.
Choice A :
To determine the severity and location of the pain. This is not the best answer because the nurse already knows that the client is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath, which are signs of a possible cardiac problem. The nurse should also ask about the quality, radiation, and aggravating or relieving factors of the pain, not just the severity and location.
Choice B:
To establish a baseline for evaluating interventions. This is the best answer because the nurse needs to know how severe the pain is before administering any medication or treatment, and then reassess the pain after the intervention to see if it was effective. The pain scale is a useful tool to measure the intensity of pain and compare it over time.
Choice C:
To assess the client's coping skills and anxiety level. This is not the best answer because the nurse should focus on relieving the pain first, as it is an emergency situation. The nurse can assess the client's coping skills and anxiety level later, when the pain is under control.
Choice D:
To identify any factors that aggravate or relieve the pain. This is not the best answer because the nurse should ask this question along with other questions about the pain characteristics, not as a single question. The nurse should also prioritize relieving the pain rather than identifying factors that may or may not affect it.