Question

In regard to pain assessment the nurse tends to;

A. underestimate the existence of pain in children but not adults.
B. underestimate the pain of both children and adults.
C. overestimate the existence of pain in children but not adults.
D. overestimate the pain of both children and adults.

Answer 1

In regard to pain assessment the nurse tends to; Underestimate the existence of pain in children but not adults.

Children may be too young to express pain or afraid to tell anyone other than a parent about the pain. The child fears the treatment of pain may be worse than the pain itself. Children do not tolerate pain any better than adults, and may have less tolerance with prior painful experiences. They do not become accustomed to pain or cope with it better than adults. The cause  of pain cannot always be determined. The feeling of pain is subjective and should be accepted by the nurse. Children heal quickly from surgery, but they have the same amount of pain from surgery as an adult.