Question

The nurse is caring for a Native American patient 2 days after a thoracotomy for tumor resection. What would be the most appropriate action if the patient does not report any pain?

a. Contact the health care provider.
b. Identify possible reasons for denial of pain.
c. Administer the prescribed pain medication.
d. Assess the renal and liver function test results.

Answer 1

The most appropriate action would be to identify possible reasons for denial of pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate action if the patient does not report any pain after a thoracotomy for tumor resection would be to identify possible reasons for denial of pain. This could involve checking for cultural factors that may influence pain expression and perception in Native Americans. Additionally, it would be important to assess the patient's psychological well-being and past experiences with pain to determine if they have any fears or concerns that may affect their reporting of pain.