The client is concerned that his pain after ORIF of the left hip 2 days ago will never go away. Which of the following is an appropriate short-term goal for the client?

• A. Pain score of 0 immediately after medication
• B. Pain score of 2 thirty minutes after two tablets of analgesic were given
• C. Pain score of 5 after one hour
• D. Pain score of 8 after two hours

Answer: (B)

Setting a short-term post-operative pain goal means aiming for a specific, achievable level of comfort within a defined time after treatment. On a 0–10 pain scale, the goal should be to reach a mild level of pain in a predictable, timely way, so the patient can participate in rehabilitation and daily activities.

The best choice describes achieving a pain score of 2 within thirty minutes after giving two analgesic tablets. This reflects a realistic expectation: the patient experiences meaningful relief soon after analgesia, the target is clearly measurable (pain score of 2), and there is a clear time frame (thirty minutes). It strikes a balance between being too optimistic (zero pain immediately or after a short delay) and too lax (pain remaining high for hours). This kind of goal supports functional progress while recognizing that complete zero pain is not always immediately achievable after surgery.

Why the other options aren’t as appropriate: aiming for zero pain immediately after medication is often not realistic because analgesics need time to work. Waiting an hour for a pain score of 5 still leaves the patient in moderate discomfort, which can hinder recovery activities. Allowing pain to be as high as 8 even after two hours indicates poorly controlled pain and fails to enable the patient to engage in needed therapy.