Which expected outcome is best for the patient with a nursing diagnosis of Acute Pain related to movement and secondary to surgical resection of a ruptured spleen and possible inadequate analgesia?

A) The patient will verbalize a reduction in pain after receiving pain medication and repositioning.
B) The patient will rest quietly when undisturbed.
C) On a scale of 0 to 10, the patient will rate pain as a 3 while in bed or as a 4 during ambulation.
D) The patient will receive pain medication every 2 hours as prescribed.

Question

CARSON BARNETT · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C , Explanation :  A low pain rating is the best expected outcome for the patient with a nursing diagnosis of Acute Pain secondary to surgical resection of a ruptured spleen and possible inadequate analgesia because it is specific and measurable.The patient verbalizing reduced pain is not specific enough.The nurse needs to know how much pain relief is achieved.A numericalscore gives a clearer indication of the effectiveness of analgesia.The patient might have experienced a reduction in pain,but his pain level might still be intolerable.Saying the patient's pain is relieved because he is resting quietly does not address the pain relief while he is awake.Some patients will sleep in an attempt to cope with pain,so this outcome could lead to inaccurate evaluation.Providing pain medication is a nursing intervention,not an expected outcome.

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