Your 85-year-old patient is complaining of right knee pain. She has a history of osteoarthritis for which she is given antiinflammatory medication. To assess her right knee pain, you should ask her if
A)the current pain is similar to previous pain.
B)the left knee hurts as well.
C)she took pain medication last night.
D)the pain gets better when she sits.
E)this is the worse pain she has ever had.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

You should refrain from asking older patients to compare past with present symptoms because recollection may be uncertain. It is more appropriate to ask a present-tense evaluation question, simply stated, without the addition of multiple factors to consider.

Your 85-Year-Old Patient Is Complaining of Right Knee Pain