A 29-year-old woman tells the nurse that she has “excruciating pain” in her back. Which would be an appropriate response by the nurse to the woman’s statement?

Choice A reason: Saying “That must be terrible” and suggesting a pinched nerve is dismissive and assumes a cause without assessment. Exploring the pain’s impact gathers critical data, so this is incorrect for an appropriate response. Choice B reason: Asking about family reactions shifts focus from the patient’s experience and is less relevant initially. Assessing how the pain affects daily activities provides functional insight, so this is not the best response for pain assessment. Choice C reason: Sharing personal experience can seem empathetic, but it this risks bias and doesn’t assess the patient’s pain. Asking about daily activity impact is more patient-centered, so this is incorrect for professional response. Choice D reason: Asking how pain affects daily activities encourages the patient to describe the pain’s severity and impact, aiding assessment and planning. This open-ended, patient-focused response is therapeutic, making it the correct choice for the nurse’s reply.