Question

Inadequate pain management for postsurgical clients can affect quality of life, function, recovery, and postsurgical complication; thus, all the manifestations are examples of negative results. However, venous thromboembolism can lead to pulmonary embolism, and this is an immediate life-threatening concern. The nurse also needs to implement interventions to resolve unsatisfied needs, fear of pain, and hopelessness related to pain and function.

A. Unsatisfied needs and fear of pain are immediate concerns in postsurgical clients.

B. Pulmonary embolism is the most serious physiologic outcome secondary to inadequate pain management.

C. Resolving hopelessness related to pain is crucial for postsurgical recovery.

D. Quality of life is not significantly impacted by inadequate pain management.

Answer 1

Effective postsurgical pain management is critical to prevent complications such as venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism while also improving quality of life and addressing psychological needs. Pulmonary embolism represents a severe life-threatening outcome of poor pain control, making multidimensional care strategies essential.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of postoperative care, managing pain effectively is crucial not just for comfort, but also for the prevention of serious complications, such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its potentially life-threatening result, pulmonary embolism (PE). When deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs, a blood clot can dislodge, becoming a PE by obstructing blood flow in the pulmonary arteries, which could lead to drastic consequences ranging from organ damage to instant death. Additionally, inadequate pain management could negatively impact quality of life, recovery, and overall function, and can harbor feelings of hopelessness and fear of pain among postsurgical clients. Furthermore, the complications associated with poor pain management and immobility, such as DVT, can be exacerbated in cases where patients suffer from conditions like osteoporosis, which can lead to fragile fractures and thus increase the risk of immobility-related issues. It is, therefore, of paramount importance for healthcare providers to address both the physiological and psychological aspects of postsurgical pain management to ensure holistic patient recovery and health.