Question

A client who is postoperative is verbalizing pain as a 2 on a pain scale of 0-10. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the preoperative teaching she received about pain management?

Option 1: "I think I should take my pain medication more often, since it is not controlling my pain."
Option 2: "Breathing faster will help me keep my mind off of the pain."
Option 3: "It might help me to listen to music while I'm lying in bed."
Option 4: "I don't want to walk today because I have some pain."

Answer 1

The nurse should identify option 3 as an indication that the client understands the preoperative teaching about pain management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify option 3: "It might help me to listen to music while I'm lying in bed" as an indication that the client understands the preoperative teaching she received about pain management. Engaging in activities like listening to music can distract the client from the pain and provide some relief. Option 1 suggests taking pain medication more frequently, which may not be the best approach without consulting healthcare professionals. Option 2 suggests distracting oneself by breathing faster, which may not effectively manage pain. Option 4 suggests avoiding physical activity due to pain, which may hinder the recovery process.