A postoperative patient who has undergone extensive bowel surgery moves as little as possible and does not use the incentive spirometer unless specifically reminded. The patient rates the pain severity as an 8 on a 10-point scale but tells the nurse, "I can tough it out." In encouraging the patient to use pain medication, the best explanation by the nurse is that

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's low activity level, lack of spirometer use, and statement to the nurse indicate that there is a lack of understanding about the purpose of postoperative pain management. The patient did not indicate a concern about becoming addicted, a desire for alternate medications, or anxiety about analgesic side effects.

A Postoperative Patient Who Has Undergone Extensive Bowel Surgery Moves