Which behavior might indicate a patient is experiencing acute pain?

Which behavior might indicate a patient is experiencing acute pain?

• A. Grimacing
• B. Sitting quietly with a smile
• C. Breathing normally
• D. Lying relaxed with eyes closed

Answer: (A)

Acute pain often shows up in nonverbal cues, especially facial expressions. Grimacing is an involuntary response to discomfort, signaling distress and the need for relief. In contrast, sitting quietly with a smile, breathing normally, or lying relaxed with eyes closed are signs of comfort or absence of acute distress. So, among these behaviors, grimacing best indicates that the patient is experiencing acute pain.

Acute pain often shows up in nonverbal cues, especially facial expressions. Grimacing is an involuntary response to discomfort, signaling distress and the need for relief. In contrast, sitting quietly with a smile, breathing normally, or lying relaxed with eyes closed are signs of comfort or absence of acute distress. So, among these behaviors, grimacing best indicates that the patient is experiencing acute pain.