Question

A patient suddenly develops right lower-quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and rebound tenderness. How should the nurse classify this patients pain?

1)
Acute
2)
Chronic
3)
Intractable
4)
Neuropathic

Answer 1

The patient with sudden right lower-quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and rebound tenderness is experiencing acute pain. This type of pain is indicative of an ongoing injury or illness, such as possible appendicitis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's symptoms of sudden right lower-quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and rebound tenderness are typical of acute abdominal conditions, possibly appendicitis. Since the pain described is of sudden onset and involves symptoms that are indicative of an active and ongoing injury or illness, it should be classified as acute pain. In contrast, chronic pain would persist over a longer period, intractable pain would not be relieved by standard treatments, and neuropathic pain originates from nerve damage. Considering this patient's presentation of symptoms, the most appropriate classification would be acute pain, option 1).