An older female adult had surgery one day ago, and the nurse thinks that the woman also has dementia. While assessing the patient, what indication would the nurse use to determine that the older adult is experiencing pain?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient holding her abdomen tightly is a nonverbal indication of pain. Other nonverbal indications of pain can include grimacing, restlessness, guarding behaviors, and changes in vital signs. However, in this scenario, stable vital signs are not necessarily indicative of the absence of pain. The patient's lack of verbalization may simply be due to the presence of dementia and should not be relied upon as the sole indicator of pain. Additionally, movements during sleep may not necessarily be indicative of pain.

An Older Female Adult Had Surgery One Day Ago, and the Nurse