The nurse is caring for a patient who is reporting pain of 8 out of 10 on a 1 to 10 numerical pain scale. The nurse administers the prescribed pain medication. When the nurse reevaluates the patient 1 hour later, the patient is still reporting pain of 8 out of 10. Which action by the nurse is appropriate at this time?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a patient's pain does not decrease after administration of prescribed medication, it is appropriate for the nurse to report this to the healthcare provider by telephone to seek further orders or adjustments in the pain management plan. Waiting for rounds or simply documenting the issue without immediate action does not address the patient's current needs, and nurses typically do not have the authority to independently increase medication dosages.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Is Reporting