# A nurse is assessing pain in a 65-year-old patient who underwent abdominal surgery 24 hours ago. Which assessment approach would be most appropriate for obtaining accurate pain information?

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> language: ko  
> subject: Fundamentals

## 문제

A nurse is assessing pain in a 65-year-old patient who underwent abdominal surgery 24 hours ago. Which assessment approach would be most appropriate for obtaining accurate pain information?

## 보기

1. Use a standardized pain scale and ask the patient to describe the pain in their own words **✔ 정답**
2. Observe the patient's vital signs and facial expressions to determine pain level
3. Ask family members about the patient's typical pain tolerance and behavior
4. Compare the patient's current pain level to other patients with similar surgeries

**정답: 1**

## 해설

Using a standardized pain scale and asking the patient to describe pain in their own words provides both quantitative and qualitative data for accurate assessment. Other options are less appropriate: vital signs and facial expressions are not reliable indicators, family reports are secondary, and comparisons to other patients are not individualized.

## 심화 해설

Clinical Judgment
This question asks for the most appropriate method to **accurately assess** a patient's pain after surgery. The key point is that pain is a subjective experience. Therefore, using a standardized tool to obtain measurable data while allowing the patient to describe their pain directly provides the most comprehensive and reliable information. This reflects the fundamental principle that the patient's self-report is the 'gold standard' for pain assessment.

Memory Tip: The core of pain assessment is the "**P**atient's **O**wn **W**ords" and a "**S**tandardized **S**cale." Remember **POWSS**.

KR vs US
In Korea, there may be a tendency to rely on nonverbal cues (facial expressions, gestures) or family observations, but in the US NGN/CJMM, the patient's **direct self-report and use of a standardized scale** are most emphasized and are essential elements of documentation. Pain is considered the fifth vital sign, requiring regular and systematic assessment.

## 임상 시나리오

Clinical Practice Guide
When assessing postoperative pain, after asking about intensity using the "Numeric Rating Scale (0-10)," it is advisable to ask about the characteristics of the pain in detail using a framework such as PQRST (Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing) or OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating/Relieving factors, Timing, Severity).

Caution
In SATA (Select All That Apply) questions, "asking the family" or "comparing with other patients" frequently appear as tempting incorrect answers. Since pain is a personal experience, these approaches are not appropriate. Also, determining the pain level based solely on vital signs or facial expressions is dangerous. These are only supplementary information and cannot replace self-report.

## 핵심 개념

- **Numeric Rating Scale** — Numeric rating scale. A standardized tool that asks patients to rate pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain).
- **Self-report** — Self-report. The patient directly expresses their symptoms, feelings, experiences, etc., in their own words. It is considered the gold standard for pain assessment.
- **Subjective Data** — Subjective data. Information provided by the patient or family that cannot be measured or observed. This includes experiences such as pain, fear, and discomfort.
- **Postoperative Pain Management** — Postoperative pain management. The process of effectively assessing a patient's pain after surgery and controlling it through pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to promote recovery.
- **PQRST (Pain Assessment Mnemonic)** — A mnemonic for systematic pain assessment. Evaluate Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Timing.

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