A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 breaths/minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time?

Assessment of the patient's pain level

Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance

Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation

Administration of naloxone

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Assessment of the patient's pain level: While pain assessment is important, the patient's lethargy and shallow respirations indicate a potential opioid overdose, which takes priority.
B.   Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance: The patient's symptoms are indicative of opioid overdose, not tolerance.
C.   Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation: While respiratory support may eventually be necessary if the patient's condition deteriorates further, administering naloxone to reverse the opioid effects is the initial priority.
D.   Administration of naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors, which can rapidly restore normal respiratory function and
consciousness in patients experiencing opioid-induced respiratory depression.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Partial agonists like nalbuphine have a lower dependency potential than full agonists. This means they are less likely to lead to physical dependence or tolerance when used for pain
management.

B. Partial agonists do not necessarily have a higher potency than agonists. Potency refers to the dose of a drug required to produce a specific effect, which can vary among different drugs regardless of their classification as agonists or partial agonists.
C. Partial agonists like nalbuphine are not typically used for their anti-inflammatory effects.

They are primarily used for pain management.

D. Partial agonists like nalbuphine are not typically used to reverse the effects of opiates. They may be used in certain situations to manage opioid-induced side effects or in cases of opioid overdose, but their primary indication is for pain management.

A. Carbamazepine B. Piperacillin/tazobactam C. Levothyroxine D. Levodopa/carbidopa

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and certain mood disorders. It is not typically used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
B. Piperacillin/tazobactam is an antibiotic combination used to treat bacterial infections. It is not used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
C. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. It is not used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
D. Levodopa/carbidopa is a medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease to manage motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. The nurse should provide
thorough education to the client regarding the indication, dosage, administration, potential side effects, and precautions associated with levodopa/carbidopa therapy.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The drug nalbuphine is an agonist-antagonist (partial agonist). The nurse understands that which is a characteristic of partial agonists?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. On which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to instruct the client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer meperidine 35 mg IM to a client every 6 hr PRN for pain. Available is meperidine injection 75 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A patient has been taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks as part of his therapy for epilepsy. He tells the nurse that he feels tense and that the least little thing bothers him now. Which is the correct explanation for this problem?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning for users of antiepileptic drugs. Based on this report, the nurse will monitor for which potential problems with this class of drugs?

A patient has been given a prescription for levodopa-carbidopa for a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The patient asks the nurse, "Why are there two drugs in this pill?" The nurse's best response reflects which fact?

The nurse is caring for a client experiencing sympathetic nervous system stimulation. What assessment finding supports this diagnosis? Select all that apply. (Select All that Apply.)

A patient had abdominal surgery this morning. The patient is groggy but complaining of severe pain around the incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient?

A patient has been taking donepezil for 2 weeks as part of the treatment for early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Her daughter calls the prescriber's office and is upset because "Mother has not improved one bit!" Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

The nurse is caring for a 64-year-old male client with diabetes who is being treated with a nonselective beta-blocker. What health education should the nurse prioritize with this client?