Question

A client complains of pain in several areas of the body. How should the nurse assess this client's pain?

A. Ask the client to rate the area with the highest pain level.
B. If pain does not radiate, there is no need to rate that area.
C. Have the client rate each location separately.
D. Mark each site on the client's body with a marker.

Answer 1

When assessing pain in multiple areas of the body, the nurse should have the client rate each location separately.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client's pain in several areas of the body, the nurse should have the client rate each location separately (Option C). This allows the nurse to understand the client's pain levels in each specific area and provide appropriate care.

Asking the client to rate the area with the highest pain level (Option A) might not provide a complete picture of all the areas affected by pain. Similarly, if pain does not radiate (Option B), it does not mean that it should not be assessed separately. Therefore, the most appropriate approach is to have the client rate each location separately.