The nurse is caring for an infant in the intensive care unit.Which of the following is the most accurate description of factors that will influence the perception and management of pain for this patient?

A) Infants cannot tolerate analgesics owing to an underdeveloped metabolism.
B) Infants have an increased sensitivity to pain in comparison with older children.
C) Pain cannot be accurately assessed in infants.
D) Infants respond behaviourally and physiologically to painful stimuli.

Question

Reagan Wyatt · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : D, Explanation :  Infants cannot verbally express their pain,but they do express pain with behavioural cues and physiological indicators.Infants can tolerate analgesics,but proper dosing and close monitoring are essential.Infants and older children have the same sensitivity to pain.Pain can be assessed even though the neonate cannot verbalize;the nurse can observe behavioural clues.Nurses use behavioural cues and physiological responses to assess pain in infants.

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