Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

Which behavior should nurses monitor in patients with cognitive impairment to assess pain levels?

1. Verbal complaints

2. Nonverbal behaviors

3. Physical mobility

4. Skin temperature

The correct answer is: Nonverbal behaviors

Monitoring nonverbal behaviors in patients with cognitive impairment is essential for assessing pain levels because these patients may not be able to express their discomfort verbally. Nonverbal cues can include facial expressions, body language, and changes in usual behaviors, which can indicate pain even when the patient cannot articulate it. For individuals with cognitive deficits, traditional methods of assessing pain, such as asking them to rate it on a scale, may not be reliable or possible. Therefore, nurses often rely on observations of nonverbal indicators, such as grimacing, restlessness, increased agitation, or withdrawal behavior, to gauge the intensity and presence of pain. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a patient's experience, ensuring that pain management strategies can be effectively implemented based on observed behaviors rather than solely on self-reports.