Which of the following statements regarding pain control in the patient following the surgical procedure is true?
A)The nurse should determine the cause of the pain before administering analgesics.
B)The goal of pain treatment should be '0' on a 0-10 pain scale.
C)The nurse should use the outward signs of pain in the patient to guide administration of analgesics.
D)The amount of pain is determined by the patient and is the best indicator of its existence.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The amount of pain is determined by the patient and is the best indicator of its existence. Pain is whatever the patient says it is, at the intensity that they describe. Because the nurse is not experiencing the pain, they cannot know the intensity, even after administering analgesics. The nurse should try to identify what is causing the pain, but should not withhold treatment until the cause is determined.

Which of the Following Statements Regarding Pain Control in the Patient