A hospitalized patient was admitted with chest pain that has been determined to be a somatoform disorder. The nurse answers the patient's call light, and the patient relates experiencing chest pain. Which response by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Although the patient's chest pain has been determined to be a somatoform disorder, it is still important for the nurse to further assess the patient's pain and vital signs. This will help ensure that the patient's condition has not changed and to provide appropriate interventions if necessary. Simply reminding the patient that the symptoms are not based on a physiological cause or administering a placebo analgesic may not address the patient's concerns or provide appropriate care. Asking if the pain is the same type of pain the patient has been experiencing in the past may be helpful in understanding the patient's history but does not provide immediate care to address the patient's current concerns.

A Hospitalized Patient Was Admitted with Chest Pain That Has