Question

One day after an appendectomy, a 9-year-old client rates his pain at 4 out of 5 on the pain scale but is playing video games and laughing with his friend. Which of the following would the nurse document on the child's chart?

Answer 1

The nurse would document that the 9-year-old client rated his pain at 4 out of 5 on the pain scale but was playing video games and laughing with his friend.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would document that the 9-year-old client rated his pain at 4 out of 5 on the pain scale but was playing video games and laughing with his friend. This information is important in assessing the child's pain level and response to treatment. The nurse should document on the child's chart that after an appendectomy, the 9-year-old client reported a pain level of 4 out of 5 on the pain scale. Despite the high pain rating, the child was observed engaging in play activities, specifically playing video games, and displaying behaviour such as laughing with a friend, which indicates a good coping mechanism and does not seem to be incapacitated by the pain. This documentation provides a comprehensive assessment of the child's pain level in conjunction with their actual behaviour and is crucial for pain management and further care planning.