Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following measures can help reduce pain?

1. Pounding the resident on the back

2. Doing jumping jacks

3. Squeezing the body part hard

4. Changing position

The correct answer is: Changing position

Changing position is an effective measure for pain management because it can alleviate discomfort by redistributing pressure on the body and promoting better circulation. When a person is experiencing pain, remaining in one position for too long may exacerbate the discomfort, particularly if that position puts strain on certain muscles or joints. By moving to a more comfortable position, the body's alignment may improve, tension can be relieved, and overall comfort may increase. In contrast, the other options would likely lead to increased pain rather than reduction. Pounding on the back may cause further pain or injury instead of providing relief, doing jumping jacks could exacerbate discomfort due to physical exertion, and squeezing the body part hard can intensify pain rather than relieve it. Thus, changing position represents an appropriate and beneficial strategy for managing pain.