If dressing change causes pain and discomfort, what should you do first?

When addressing pain and discomfort caused by a dressing change, assessing the patient's pain management is crucial. The most appropriate first step is to inquire when the last dose of a pain-relief medication was administered, and if necessary, allow time for that medication to take effect. This approach promotes the patient’s comfort and ensures that their pain is being adequately managed before proceeding with further intervention. Administering pain relief prior to the procedure can significantly reduce the patient's discomfort, making the dressing change more tolerable.

While slow, deep breaths and distraction techniques can be effective in managing anxiety and discomfort, they do not directly address the underlying cause of pain if the patient has not received adequate analgesia. Simply telling the person that the procedure will not hurt does not alleviate their current discomfort and can lead to distrust in the caregiver, as it may not align with their actual experience.