Question

Two patients on your unit have recently returned to the postsurgical unit after knee arthroplasty. One patient is reporting pain of 8 to 9 on a 0-to-10 pain scale, whereas the other patient is reporting a pain level of 3 to 4 on the same pain scale. What is the nurse's most plausible rationale for understanding the patients' different perceptions of pain?

a) Endorphin levels may vary between patients, affecting the perception of pain.
b) One of the patients is exaggerating his or her sense of pain.
c) The patients are likely experiencing a variance in vasoconstriction.
d) One of the patients may be experiencing opioid tolerance.

Answer 1

The nurse's most plausible rationale for understanding the patients' different perceptions of pain is that endorphin levels may vary between patients, affecting the perception of pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's most plausible rationale for understanding the patients' different perceptions of pain is that endorphin levels may vary between patients, affecting the perception of pain. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are responsible for reducing pain and promoting a sense of well-being. Higher levels of endorphins can lead to a lower perception of pain. Therefore, the patient who is reporting a pain level of 3 to 4 may have higher levels of endorphins, resulting in a lower experience of pain compared to the patient who is reporting a pain level of 8 to 9.