How should you respond to increasing pain reported by a client?

How should you respond to increasing pain reported by a client?

• A. Increase the dose without authorization.
• B. Assess pain using an appropriate scale, document, review current meds and strategies, and inform supervisor if needed.
• C. Ignore patient reports.
• D. Only document but do nothing.

Answer: (B)

When a client reports increasing pain, start with a structured pain assessment using an appropriate scale (for example, numeric 0–10, or a faces scale for those who can’t verbalize well) to quantify the pain and track changes. Then document the pain level, location, quality, duration, and any factors that worsen or relieve it, so there’s a clear record of the current status and responses. Next, review the current medications and strategies being used to see if they are effective or if adjustments are needed within the authorized plan. If the pain remains poorly controlled or there are uncertainties, inform a supervisor or the responsible clinician so the plan can be reviewed and potentially adjusted. This approach promotes patient safety, clear communication, and timely escalation—unlike increasing the dose without authorization, ignoring the patient, or merely logging without taking action.