Question

The nurse is caring for an older adult client on a medical-surgical unit who had abdominal surgery for mass removal one day ago. Which clinical manifestations of pain are typical for an older adult client?

1) Loss of appetite
2) Decreased energy
3) Cries inconsolably
4) Guards abdomen
5) Changes in sleep patterns

Answer 1

Typical clinical manifestations of pain in an older adult client post abdominal surgery include loss of appetite, decreased energy, guarding the abdomen, and changes in sleep patterns. Crying inconsolably is less common in adults.

Step-by-step explanation:

Clinical manifestations of pain in an older adult client who had abdominal surgery may differ from those in younger adults. The typical clinical signs of pain that a medical-surgical nurse might observe include:

• Loss of appetite: Older adult clients may not feel like eating due to the discomfort from the pain.
• Decreased energy: They might seem less active or more fatigued than usual, which can be a consequence of pain.
• Guards abdomen: Protecting the area of surgery by avoiding movement or by physically guarding it.
• Changes in sleep patterns: Pain can disrupt normal sleep, leading to changes like insomnia or oversleeping.

While items like "Cries inconsolably" might be typical of children or infants, this behavior is less common in adults. Rather, an adult client's experience and expression of pain can be more subtle and can manifest through behavioral changes or physical symptoms, as noted above.