Question

A nurse is assessing the pain of a client who has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle. The client describes the pain as aching and is able to identify the pain as occurring in his left ankle. The nurse identifies this as which type of pain?

Answer 1

The aching pain identified in the left ankle due to a sprain is considered inflammatory pain. It results from overstretching or tearing of ligaments, causing tissue damage and inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is assessing a client who reports aching pain in the left ankle as a result of a sprain. This type of pain, associated with a specific and identifiable location, is indicative of inflammatory pain. This categorization is used because ankle sprains involve injury to ligaments, which are bands of tough connective tissue connecting bones to form a joint. When these ligaments become overstretched or torn, as in the case of a sprain, they cause swelling and an aching sensation due to the inflammation and tissue damage. Furthermore, every person has a different pain tolerance, and recovery or treatment may include rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), physical therapy, and the use of analgesics based on the severity of the pain and the individual's medical and psychological conditions.