Question

A client who is postoperative is verbalizing pain as a 2 on a pain scale of 0 to 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?

A. "I was told I could request pain medication when needed."
B. "I expected the pain to be much worse after the surgery."
C. "I don't want to bother the nursing staff with my pain complaints."
D. "I know I can't have more pain medication until tomorrow."

Answer 1

The correct statement indicating understanding of pain management postoperatively is that the client knows they can request pain medication when needed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the understanding of pain management postoperatively. When a client verbalizes pain as a 2 on a 0 to 10 pain scale, they exhibit a low level of discomfort. Among the provided options, the statement that indicates the client understands the preoperative teaching about pain management is "I was told I could request pain medication when needed." This statement reflects proper knowledge that pain management is responsive to the patient's needs and that they have the autonomy to request medication according to the pain experienced. Conversely, statements like "I don't want to bother the nursing staff with my pain complaints" suggest a misunderstanding, as healthcare professionals encourage patients to report pain so it can be adequately managed.