Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 67%
Simulated
Two clients ring their call lights simultaneously requesting pain medication. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Assessment always comes first. The nurse must evaluate the nature and intensity of each client's pain to prioritize care and determine the appropriate intervention, which may or may not be medication. Administering medication without assessment is unsafe. Checking the last medication time is part of the assessment but does not give a complete picture of the current pain status. Nonpharmacologic interventions may be used, but only after assessment.