You are the CCA reporting a client’s pain to the nurse. Which of the following should you include in your report?
a. The client’s exact words
b. Where you think the area of pain is
c. What you think is causing the pain
d. How much pain you think the client is experiencing
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a. The client’s exact words.
When reporting a client’s pain to a nurse, it is essential to accurately relay the client’s own experience. This means that the client’s exact words about the pain should be included in the report. This approach allows the nurse to better understand the pain from the client’s perspective, providing valuable information that can guide their assessment and care plan. For example, if a client says, “I feel a sharp, stabbing pain in my chest,” quoting their exact words allows the nurse to consider the specific nature of the pain and prioritize necessary interventions.
Including the client’s own words also ensures accuracy and helps avoid any potential misinterpretations that might arise from subjective assumptions. When reporting pain, it is important to refrain from making conclusions about the pain’s cause, intensity, or location based on personal assumptions. Instead, the report should stick to what the client has expressed and observed.
For instance, reporting where you think the pain is (option b), what you believe is causing the pain (option c), or how much pain you think the client is experiencing (option d) can lead to errors. These assumptions can interfere with a proper diagnosis and may prevent the nurse from gathering all the relevant data needed to manage the pain effectively.
By sticking to the client’s words, you help maintain a clear, objective line of communication that respects the client’s subjective experience and ensures accurate clinical documentation. This also promotes patient safety and supports the delivery of appropriate care based on the client’s unique needs and symptoms.