A nurse is caring for a group of clients who have chronic pain. Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as a candidate for occupational therapy?

A. A client who has a PCA for chronic pain following a laminectomy: This client is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to manage post-surgical pain. The primary focus is pharmacologic pain control, and occupational therapy is not the first-line intervention for acute post-surgical pain management. B. A client who has Alzheimer's disease and is experiencing abdominal pain: Occupational therapy focuses on improving functional abilities, mobility, and daily activities rather than addressing acute internal pain such as abdominal pain. Management of this client’s pain would involve medical assessment and treatment rather than OT intervention. C. A client who has migraines and is experiencing nausea and vomiting: Migraine management is primarily medical, focusing on pharmacologic therapy and symptom relief. Occupational therapy is not indicated for acute episodic pain like migraines with associated nausea and vomiting. D. A client who has painful hands due to degenerative joint disease: Occupational therapy is appropriate for chronic musculoskeletal conditions like degenerative joint disease. OT can help the client maintain hand function, adapt daily activities, improve fine motor skills, and manage chronic pain through therapeutic techniques and assistive devices.