Question

When a patient is suffering from acute pain, the nurse should anticipate which patient complaints Select all that apply.

A. Insidious onset of pain in the lumbar region
B. Phantom limb pain following amputation
C. Pain present for several months' duration
D. Guarding of a midline abdominal incision
E. Sharp, stabbing pain in a specific area

Answer 1

When a patient is suffering from acute pain, the nurse should anticipate sharp, stabbing pain in a specific area and guarding of a midline abdominal incision.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient is suffering from acute pain, the nurse should anticipate sharp, stabbing pain in a specific area and guarding of a midline abdominal incision. These are common complaints associated with acute pain. Acute pain is typically sudden in onset and usually short-lived.

Other options like insidious onset of pain in the lumbar region, phantom limb pain following amputation, and pain present for several months' duration are more indicative of chronic pain, which is different from acute pain.