What is the expected outcome for pain duration in an 87-year-old patient with herpes zoster?

The expected outcome for pain duration in an 87-year-old patient with herpes zoster is that it might never completely disappear. This is primarily due to the risk of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a complication that can occur after the initial rash and pain of shingles. PHN is characterized by persistent nerve pain that can last for months or even years after the shingles attack has resolved. Older adults, particularly those over the age of 60, are at a higher risk for developing PHN, and the incidence increases with age.

In this patient's case, being 87 years old significantly raises the likelihood that they will experience long-lasting pain as a result of nerve damage caused by the virus. Thus, the current understanding of shingles and its complications supports the notion that pain may not completely resolve and can persist indefinitely, especially in the older population.

The other options suggest that the pain would resolve within a determined timeframe, which does not align with the clinical realities often observed in older patients who develop herpes zoster. For example, while some people may experience pain that resolves within weeks or months, the potential for ongoing pain is a critical aspect of managing and counseling patients about this condition.