Pain Is Considered to Be the "Fifth Vital Sign

Pain is considered to be the "fifth vital sign." How does this principle affect nursing care?

A) It ensures that pain assessment occurs on a regular basis for all patients.
B) It helps nurses understand that experiencing pain can change heart rate and respiratory rate.
C) It helps nurses to ensure that vital organ function is adequate before administering drugs to reduce pain.
D) It encourages nurses to assess two parameters during patient contact to improve time management.