Question

Tom Richardson is complaining of severe pain and is now begging you for some relief. He states his pain scale is 10/10. What should you do?

1) Administer pain medication immediately
2) Ignore his request and continue with your duties
3) Tell him to wait for the doctor
4) Give him a glass of water

Answer 1

When a patient complains of severe pain and rates it 10/10, it is important to administer pain medication immediately.

Step-by-step explanation:

When facing a patient complaining of severe pain, it is essential to take their pain seriously and provide appropriate care. In this scenario, the patient rates their pain as 10/10, indicating extreme pain. As a healthcare professional, you should administer pain medication immediately to help alleviate the patient's suffering. It's important to note that without knowing the specifics of the patient's condition and without having the proper medical authorization, one should not administer any medication. Non-pharmacological comfort measures, such as providing reassurance and a calm environment, can also be helpful while awaiting medical assessment or pain relief administration. Ignoring the patient's request or telling them to wait for the doctor would be neglectful and inappropriate. Giving the patient a glass of water may not provide any relief for their pain.