Asked by Caitlin Bagwell on Apr 27, 2024
Verified
The assessment of a 60-year-old patient has taken longer than anticipated. In testing his pain perception, the nurse decides to complete the test as quickly as possible. When the nurse applies the sharp point of the pin on his arm several times, he is only able to identify these as one "very sharp prick." What would be the most accurate explanation for this?
A) The patient has hyperesthesia as a result of the aging process.
B) This response is most likely the result of the summation effect.
C) The nurse was probably not poking hard enough with the pin in the other areas.
D) The patient most likely has analgesia in some areas of arm and hyperalgesia in others.
Hyperesthesia
An increased sensitivity to stimulation, particularly touch.
Summation Effect
The process where combined effects of multiple stimuli result in a greater response than the sum of their individual effects.
Analgesia
The absence of pain in response to stimulation which would normally be painful, often achieved through the use of medication.
- Realize the consequences of sensory losses on individual safety and living standards.
Verified Answer
RN
Rhilee NortonApr 27, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
At least 2 seconds should be allowed to elapse between each stimulus to avoid summation. With summation, frequent consecutive stimuli are perceived as one strong stimulus. The other responses are incorrect.
Learning Objectives
- Realize the consequences of sensory losses on individual safety and living standards.