Question

The nurse is visiting a client at home who is recovering from a bowel resection. The client reports constant pain and discomfort and displays signs of depression. When assessing this client for pain, what should be the nurse's focal point?

Option 1: administering a placebo and performing a reassessment of the pain
Option 2: judging whether the client is in pain or is just depressed
Option 3: beginning pain medications before the pain is too severe
Option 4: reviewing and revising the pain management treatment plan

Answer 1

The nurse should focus on reviewing and revising the pain management treatment plan to provide comprehensive care, encompassing both physical and emotional well-being of the client recovering from a bowel resection.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing a client who is recovering from a bowel resection and reports constant pain and discomfort, as well as displaying signs of depression, the nurse's focal point should be reviewing and revising the pain management treatment plan. This approach is comprehensive and takes both the physical and emotional aspects of the client's condition into account. It is crucial to assess the effectiveness of the current pain management strategy and make any necessary changes to ensure the client's pain is effectively managed. Administering a placebo (Option 1) is not ethical and may not address the root cause of the pain. Judging whether the client is in pain or just depressed (Option 2) can lead to under-treating the pain or not addressing the depression. Starting pain medications before the pain becomes too severe (Option 3) may be a part of the pain management plan but does not encompass the whole strategy needed for thorough care. The focus must be on a holistic approach which might include pharmacologic interventions, non-pharmacologic therapies, and psychological support to address all aspects of the client's well-being.