Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

When a client presents with pain after a cholecystectomy, which action is most essential for the nurse to perform?

1. Reassess the client's pain management plan.

2. Encourage the client to ambulate.

3. Monitor vital signs closely.

4. Initiate a pain management protocol.

The correct answer is: Reassess the client's pain management plan.

When a client presents with pain after a cholecystectomy, the most essential action for the nurse to perform is to reassess the client's pain management plan. This step is critical as it allows the nurse to gather current and accurate information regarding the intensity and nature of the client's pain. Cholecystectomy can lead to various postoperative complications, including infection or complications related to anesthesia, which can manifest as increased pain. By reassessing the pain management plan, the nurse can determine the efficacy of the current strategies being employed and identify if adjustments are necessary to better manage the client's discomfort. This process involves not only asking the client about their pain level but also considering any recent changes in their condition, assessing the site of surgery, and evaluating any medication the client is currently receiving for pain. Tailoring the pain management approach based on this reassessment ensures that the client receives appropriate relief and can help in the overall recovery process. While encouraging ambulation, monitoring vital signs, and initiating a pain management protocol are important actions to take in the context of postoperative care, they are secondary to the active assessment and adjustment of the pain management plan. These secondary actions may indeed be incorporated into the care plan following a comprehensive reassessment, but they do not replace