Final answer:
The nurse assesses the quality of pain in a patient by asking specific questions about the pain's description, constancy, and impact on daily activities. The Numeric Rating Scale is commonly used to determine the severity of pain, and the nurse can ask the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 0-10. When investigating the onset and duration of pain, the nurse typically asks about the start of pain, changes in pain, and the length of pain. Lastly, the nurse may ask the patient to rate their current pain level on a scale of 0-10.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing the quality of pain in a patient, the nurse may ask specific questions to gather information. Some common questions include:
- Can you describe the pain? (e.g., sharp, dull, burning)
- Is the pain constant or does it come and go?
- Does anything make the pain better or worse?
- How does the pain affect your daily activities?
To determine the severity of pain, a common standardized scale used is the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The nurse can ask the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
When investigating the onset and duration of pain, the nurse typically asks the following inquiry:
- When did the pain start?
- Has it been getting better, worse, or staying the same?
- How long does the pain usually last?
In assessing the intensity of pain, a specific question the nurse might ask is:
- On a scale of 0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable, how would you rate your pain right now?