Physiological AdaptationQuestion 143 of 2368
A client has had osteoarthritis pain for several years and is resting comfortably with normal vital signs and no sweating. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
- The client has no pain because the vital signs are normal and there is no sweating
- The pain is acute rather than chronic because the client is not sweating
- Chronic pain often causes no vital sign changes, so the client may have pain
- The pain has resolved because the client is resting and looks comfortable
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Correct answer: Chronic pain often causes no vital sign changes, so the client may have pain
Chronic pain typically does not change vital signs or cause diaphoresis, so normal vital signs do not rule out pain.
Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Comfort: Acute vs. Chronic Pain. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026