Question

A teenage client is undergoing a dressing change to burns on the thigh. The client refuses pain medication and states, "I do not hurt, and I don't need it." He is withdrawn, grimaces, and turns away during the dressing change. He was last medicated 8 hours ago. The best statement by the nurse is

a) "You are so brave to not take your pain medication when the dressing change will hurt."
b) "If you need pain relief, I can give you some medication when I have completed the dressing change."
c) "Please explain why you say you do not hurt when I see you grimacing during the dressing change."
d) "You are so right to not take your pain medication. You can become dependent on the medication."

Answer 1

c) "Please explain why you say you do not hurt when I see you grimacing during the dressing change."

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse needs to:

• explore the reason a client denies pain during a treatment with a dressing change to burns, and when the client withdraws, grimaces and turns away during the dressing change
• educate client about effects of pain on recovery
• inform that he should not associate pain with his dressing changes
• a preventive approach for pain relief is administered before the pain is experienced