The client scheduled to undergo minor surgery states, “The physician w

The client scheduled to undergo minor surgery states, “The physician will not give me pain medication after surgery because my surgery is only minor.” What is the best response by the nurse?

1. “You can experience pain after minor surgery, so you can have pain medication.”
2. “You are correct. The physician will not order any pain medication.”
3. “You are correct. I will need to teach you nonpharmacologic pain relief measures.”
4. ” You can only have about half the dose because your surgery is minor.”

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Clients can experience intense pain after minor surgery, so pain medication may be ordered.
Rationale 2: This is not true. The client can have pain after minor surgery and can receive pain medication.
Rationale 3: Nonpharmacologic pain relief measures may not be enough for the pain after surgery.
Rationale 4: The nurse has no way of knowing the dose the physician will prescribe for the client.