A postoperative client is reluctant to participate in physical therapy.What action by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A comprehensive pain management plan includes the client's goals for pain control.Adequate pain control is necessary to allow full participation in therapy.The first thing the nurse should do is to ask about the client's pain goals and if they are being met.If not,an adjustment to treatment can be made.If they are being met,the nurse can assess for other factors influencing the client's behavior.Asking the client why he or she is being uncooperative is not the best response for two reasons.First,"why" questions tend to put people on the defensive.Second,labeling the behavior is inappropriate.Simply increasing the pain medication may not be advantageous.Simply telling the client that physical therapy is required does not address the issue.

A Postoperative Client Is Reluctant to Participate in Physical Therapy