After hip surgery, what is the most critical action for the nurse when a client reports pain?

Performing a comprehensive pain assessment is critical when a client reports pain after hip surgery because it allows the nurse to gather essential information about the pain's characteristics, intensity, location, duration, and any factors that may alleviate or exacerbate it. This thorough understanding of the patient’s pain experience is vital for several reasons.

First, it assists the healthcare team in determining the appropriate intervention. Pain after surgery can have various underlying causes, such as surgical site complications, nerve irritation, or post-operative issues. Identifying the nature and severity of the pain can guide effective pain management strategies, ensuring that the patient receives the most appropriate and timely care.

Additionally, a comprehensive assessment contributes to the ongoing evaluation of the patient's recovery and the effectiveness of current pain management approaches. It also serves to establish a baseline for the patient's pain levels, which can be useful for tracking changes over time and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.

In contrast, techniques like distraction, documentation of severity, or immediate medication administration can be components of pain management but do not address the need for a thorough understanding of the patient's specific pain situation. They are more reactive rather than proactive measures that depend on the outcomes of an effective pain assessment.