Question

A patient who underwent a left above-the-knee amputation complains of pain in his left foot. The nurse should document this finding as what type of pain?

1) Psychogenic
2) Phantom
3) Referred
4) Radiating

Answer 1

The correct documentation for pain experienced in an absent foot following an above-the-knee amputation is phantom pain, reflecting the pain perception in a limb that no longer exists.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who has undergone a left above-the-knee amputation and is complaining of pain in the amputated limb's absent foot should have this pain documented as phantom pain. Phantom pain is a type of pain that feels as though it is coming from a body part that's no longer there. It is a common experience among amputees. Contrary to other types of pain, like psychogenic (arising from psychological factors), referred (pain perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus), or radiating (pain spreading from the initial site to other areas), phantom pain is directly related to the nerves that used to serve the amputated limb.