Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 92%
Simulated
A nurse is assisting with teaching a newly licensed nurse about pain. Which of the following is an example of acute pain?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Surgical incision. Acute pain is sudden and usually results from a specific injury or illness. A surgical incision typically causes acute pain due to tissue damage, inflammation, and nerve stimulation. It is time-limited and usually resolves as the tissue heals. Peripheral neuropathy (A) and fibromyalgia (D) are chronic pain conditions that last for an extended period. Rheumatoid arthritis (B) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes persistent joint pain. In summary, the surgical incision is the best example of acute pain among the choices provided due to its sudden onset and association with tissue injury.