The nurse is attempting to ambulate an older adult client who recently

The nurse is attempting to ambulate an older adult client who recently experienced a fall at the assisted living facility where he resides.

The client is reluctant to walk and consents to move only to the chair, reporting that “it hurts too much to walk.” Which of the following nursing interventions is most therapeutic regarding this client?
1. Allow the client to remain in bed in order to conserve his energy.
2. Transfer him to the chair, realizing some activity is preferable to none.
3. Call his health care provider to discuss the apparent ineffectiveness of his pain medications.
4. Assess the client for other factors that may be affecting his ability and motivation to ambulate.

ANSWER

ANS: 4
The perception of pain is affected by both physical and emotional factors. The client may be ex-pressing concern over his ability or desire to return to the assisted living facility and so perceives the pain as a barrier to ambulating. Thus physical pain can cause psychological pain and vice ver-sa. The other options are either not therapeutic or not the initial action to be taken.