Question

The nurse is taking a history for a pregnant client who has been seen for chronic headaches for 2 years. Today, the client reports a headache that feels different than the normal headaches she has experienced in the past. Which assessment question helps the nurse assess quality of pain?

a) "When did your pain begin?"
b) "How long have you experienced this pain?"
c) "Could you please rate your pain on a 1-10 scale?"
d) "Can you describe the type of pain you are having?"

Answer 1

d) "Can you describe the type of pain you are having?" The assessment question that helps the nurse assess the quality of pain is 'Can you describe the type of pain you are having?' By asking the client to describe the type of pain, the nurse can gather more information about the nature of the headache.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assessment question that helps the nurse assess the quality of pain is d) "Can you describe the type of pain you are having?"

By asking the client to describe the type of pain, the nurse can gather more information about the nature of the headache. This can help determine if the headache is different from the client's normal headaches and if further assessment or intervention is needed.

For example, if the client describes the pain as pulsating or throbbing, it could suggest a migraine headache. On the other hand, if the client describes the pain as a dull ache or tightness, it could indicate a tension headache.