NCLEX-PN® ExaminationHealth Promotion and MaintenanceEasy
A practical nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who recently underwent a minor surgical procedure. The client expresses concern about managing post-operative pain at home. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching regarding pain management?
- A“Wait until the pain is severe before calling the doctor.”
- B“Take your prescribed pain medication regularly as scheduled, even if pain is mild.”
- C“Rely solely on non-pharmacological methods like distraction for pain relief.”
- D“Take your pain medication only when the pain becomes unbearable.”
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. “Take your prescribed pain medication regularly as scheduled, even if pain is mild.”
Taking pain medication regularly as prescribed, especially in the initial post-operative period, helps maintain a consistent therapeutic level in the bloodstream, preventing pain from becoming severe and making it easier to control. This is more effective than waiting for severe pain.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Waiting for severe pain before seeking help delays effective intervention and increases distress.
- C. While non-pharmacological methods are helpful adjuncts, they are often insufficient alone for post-operative pain.
- D. Waiting until pain is unbearable makes it much harder to control and can lead to increased suffering.
Post-Operative Pain Management
Strategies used to alleviate pain following surgery, aiming to optimize comfort, facilitate recovery, and prevent complications.
- Scheduled dosing is more effective than PRN for acute pain.
- Multimodal approach (pharmacological and non-pharmacological).
- Patient education on pain scale and medication use is vital.
Memory trick: Scheduled Support Stops Suffering Swiftly.