Question

in the context of patient care, how should a nurse practitioner assess pain in an individual who exhibits a non - expressive facial communication style, such as having a \poker face\?
assume the patient is not in pain due to lack of facial expression
rely on the faces scale for accurate pain assessment
consider cultural differences that may discourage the expression of pain
prioritize patients who display affective communication
disregard the patients self - reported pain intensity

Explanation:

Facial expressions are not always reliable indicators of pain. Some individuals may have a non - expressive style due to cultural factors. Cultural differences can influence how people express or suppress pain. Self - reported pain is important and should not be disregarded. Relying solely on the faces scale may not be accurate for non - expressive individuals, and prioritizing other patients is inappropriate.

Answer:

C. Consider cultural differences that may discourage the expression of pain