A nurse is documenting assessment findings for a client who reports severe abdominal pain. Which finding reflects a non-verbal indication of pain?

Choice A reason: Non-verbal indications of pain are behaviors or physical manifestations that communicate distress without the use of words. Facial grimacing, guarding of a painful area, and moaning are key non-verbal cues that the nurse observes directly to assess the impact of pain on the patient's functional movement. Choice B reason: This is a verbal report of pain. While it provides critical information about the quality and location of the pain, it is classified as subjective verbal data. Non-verbal indications are specifically those that can be observed even if the patient is unable or unwilling to speak. Choice C reason: Nausea and decreased appetite are associated symptoms or physiological responses to pain, but they are not behavioral indicators. These findings are often reported by the patient (subjective) or inferred by clinical history, rather than being an immediate non-verbal cue observed during the physical examination itself. Choice D reason: Hypertension is a physiological (autonomic) response to pain. While it provides objective evidence of the body's stress response, it is a clinical measurement rather than a behavioral "non-verbal indication." Non-verbal indications typically refer to observable actions, gestures, or expressions that signify the patient's discomfort