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What is the best action for a nurse to assess a postoperative patient's pain level?
Assess the patient's body language.
Ask the patient to rate the level of pain.
Observe the cardiac monitor for increased heart rate.
Have the patient describe the effect of pain on the ability to cope.
The correct answer is: Ask the patient to rate the level of pain.
Asking the patient to rate the level of pain is considered the best action for assessing a postoperative patient's pain level because it directly solicits the individual's subjective experience of pain. Pain is a highly personal and subjective sensation, and self-reporting provides crucial insight into the intensity of discomfort the patient is experiencing. Utilizing a pain scale, such as a numerical scale from 0 to 10, enables the patient to communicate their pain level clearly, facilitating targeted interventions tailored to their needs. This approach is essential in postoperative care, where pain management is a key component of recovery. The patient's own assessment is often more accurate than observations or physiological indicators, as it reflects their specific experience rather than inferring pain levels from external signs or symptoms.