One week after surgery, a transplant recipient is discharged and later reports unbearable abdominal pain. What is the best initial response by the nurse?

• A. Administer pain medication immediately.
• B. Describe the location and type of pain you are having.
• C. Ignore until the nurse arrives.
• D. Recommend a home remedy.

Answer: (B)

When a transplant patient reports sudden, severe abdominal pain, the first step is patient-centered assessment to gauge urgency. Pain is a subjective signal, and gathering a detailed description helps you triage what’s happening. Asking the patient to describe where the pain is, what it feels like (sharp, dull, cramping, constant, intermittent), when it started, how intense it is, whether it radiates, and what might worsen or relieve it is essential. You also want to note accompanying symptoms (fever, vomiting, changes in bowel movements, rigidity or guarding, dizziness) and any recent changes in meds or activity.

This careful description matters because after transplantation, new or worsening abdominal pain could indicate serious issues such as graft problems, infection, or a surgical complication. Providing analgesia before you’ve gathered information can mask signs that help you distinguish these conditions and delay urgent evaluation. That’s why the best initial move is to obtain a clear pain description, then perform a focused physical assessment and determine the next steps for care. Ignoring the pain or giving home remedies isn’t appropriate given the potential for serious post-op complications.