NCLEX RN Practice Question

The correct intervention is to assess the client’s pain and administer the prescribed medication for pain management. This both addresses the immediate priority (acute pain) and prevents potential complications, such as poor respiratory effort due to pain aggravation. While guided imagery, positioning, and breathing exercises can be helpful after acute pain is controlled, they do not effectively address severe pain rated 8/10. Administering prescribed pain medication ensures immediate relief, enabling the client to participate more effectively in additional non-pharmacological methods. Non-pharmacological measures become effective adjuncts but should not replace medication for pain rated at this intensity.