The nurse is concerned that a terminally ill patient with aphasia is having pain but is unable to verbally express the degree. Which of the following can the nurse do to help this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pain can be identified in the cognitively impaired through its physical manifestations of. Changes in facial expressions may include frowning, grimacing, tearfulness, apprehension, sadness, and/or muscle contractions around the mouth or eyes. It is also helpful to question family members and close personal friends about how the person generally reacts to pain and painful stimuli. The nurse should assess the patient's facial expressions for indications of pain. The nurse should not provide pain medication around the clock or when the patient is awake since this could lead to overmedicating. The patient's heart rate and blood pressure may or may not indicate as an increasing level of pain.

The Nurse Is Concerned That a Terminally Ill Patient with Aphasia