Question

Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Farrell have both had their gallbladders removed laparoscopically. Mr. Mitchell is rating his pain at a 5 on a 10-point scale and states he does not require medication. Mr. Farrell is rating his pain at a 5 on a 10-point scale and is demanding something stronger for his pain.

This is an example of a difference in which of the following?
A. Surgeons' skill
B. Patients' pain thresholds
C. Patients' personalities
D. Patients' pain tolerances

Answer 1

The difference between Mr. Mitchell not requiring medication despite a pain rating of 5, while Mr. Farrell demands stronger pain relief at the same pain rating, highlights the variation in patient pain tolerances.

Correct option is D. Patients' pain tolerances

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation described with Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Farrell, where both patients have had their gallbladders removed laparoscopically and rate their pain at a 5 but have different reactions to the pain, is an example of a difference in patients' pain tolerances. Pain threshold refers to the point at which a stimulus causes pain, but pain tolerance is the amount of pain a person is willing to endure before they seek relief.

Personalities can affect how one reports and reacts to pain, but the two cases here are focusing on the amount of pain that is tolerated before medication is requested, making pain tolerance the most relevant factor.