Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The client appeared to be impervious to pain.
A.
Coping well
B.
Enjoying
C.
Not affected
D.
Very sensitive
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. Not affected.
Explanation:
The word “impervious” comes from the Latin roots “im-” meaning “not” and “pervius” meaning “letting things through” or “penetrable.” When someone is described as impervious, it means that they are unaffected by or resistant to something. In the context of the sentence, “The client appeared to be impervious to pain,” it suggests that the client does not seem to be affected by pain in a noticeable way.
Let’s break down why this is the correct interpretation:
- Context of Medical or Care Setting: In healthcare, patients are often assessed for their response to pain, which is crucial for understanding their condition and determining appropriate treatments. If a client appears “impervious to pain,” this observation implies that despite potentially painful stimuli or conditions, the client is not reacting as expected. This could be due to various reasons like high pain tolerance, nerve damage, or the use of pain-relief medications.
- Choice of the Other Options:
- A. Coping well: This implies that the person is feeling pain but managing it effectively, which is different from being completely unaffected by pain.
- B. Enjoying: This suggests that the person finds pleasure in pain, which is not the meaning of “impervious.” Enjoying pain would be a completely different concept, potentially related to specific psychological or physiological conditions.
- D. Very sensitive: This is the opposite of what “impervious” means. Being very sensitive would suggest the client is highly affected by pain, which is contrary to the idea of being impervious.
Practical Use:
In healthcare, observing a patient who seems impervious to pain can be concerning. It might lead a nurse or doctor to consider factors like nerve damage, certain neurological disorders, or the effects of medications that mask pain perception. This concept is important for accurate pain assessment and management.