A patient is seen talking and laughing in the clinic's waiting room yet complains of excruciating pain. The nurse realizes this patient is most likely demonstrating which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Inconsistent behavioral response to pain. The fact that the patient is seen talking and laughing in the clinic's waiting room but still complains of excruciating pain suggests an inconsistent behavioral response to pain. This may indicate that the patient is not experiencing pain to the extent claimed or that the pain is not severe enough to cause the level of distress reported.

A Patient Is Seen Talking and Laughing in the Clinic's