Problem: A 19-year-old client presents to the emergency department with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. While waiting for diagnostic imaging, the client requests pain medication. What should the nurse do next? Need Assignment Help? Question Answer a. Advise the client to avoid taking pain medication until after surgery. b. Explain that pain medication may mask symptoms and delay diagnosis. c. Reassess the client's pain level in one hour before intervening. d. Administer prescribed pain medication after completing a thorough pain assessment.