An ER nurse is interviewing a client who complains of abdominal pain.

An ER nurse is interviewing a client who complains of abdominal pain. Which of the following questions asked by the nurse has priority at this time?

1. “Can you describe your pain?”
2. “Have you had this problem before?”
3. “What have you done to ease the pain?”
4. “When did your abdominal pain begin?”

ANSWER

ANS: 4
If a client presents to the emergency department with pain, the nurse should first ask the client about the onset, severity, and duration of the pain. In an emergency situation, the client’s current health problem becomes the priority assessment. Gathering data about the problem currently af-fecting the client has greater priority, but a description of the pain does not have priority over onset. Asking the client about medical history is appropriate but not at this time. The priority is to assess the symptoms the client is experiencing. Gathering data about the problem currently af-fecting the client has greater priority, but attempted self-treatment does not have priority over onset.