Basic Care and ComfortQuestion 144 of 2368
An older adult in a long-term care center has become newly confused and agitated but does not complain of pain. Which action should the nurse take?
- Document that the client is not in pain
- Apply a restraint for safety
- Wait until the client reports pain
- Assess for pain as a possible cause
Show answer
Correct answer: Assess for pain as a possible cause
Pain is often underassessed in older adults because they report it less and it can appear as confusion and agitation.
Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Comfort: Life Span and Cultural Considerations. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Basic Care and Comfort"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026