A client recovering from heart surgery develops pericarditis and reports level 6 (0 to 10 scale) chest pain with deep breathing. Which prescribed PRN medication will be the most appropriate for the nurse to give?
IV morphine sulfate 4 mg
Oral acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg
Oral ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg
Fentanyl 1 mg IV
The Correct Answer is C
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. It can cause chest pain, which is often worsened by deep breathing or coughing. The goal of treatment for pericarditis is to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
In this case, the client's pain level is reported as 6 out of 10. As per the PRN (as-needed) medication options given:
C) Oral ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain in cases of pericarditis. It is an appropriate choice for this client's pain level of 6 out of 10.
A) IV morphine sulfate 4 mg: IV morphine is a potent opioid analgesic and may be appropriate for severe pain. However, in this case, the client's pain level is moderate (6 out of 10), and it is not the first-line medication for pericarditis pain.
B) Oral acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg: Acetaminophen is a mild analgesic and antipyretic that can be effective for mild to moderate pain. However, in this situation, the client's pain is moderate (6 out of 10), and acetaminophen alone may not provide adequate relief for pericarditis pain.
D) Fentanyl 1 mg IV: Fentanyl is another potent opioid analgesic. However, similar to morphine, it may be more appropriate for severe pain, not moderate pain like in this scenario.
Based on the client's pain level and the goal of reducing inflammation, the most appropriate PRN medication for the nurse to give is oral ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
During the 48 hours after a myocardial infarction (MI), the highest priority for monitoring the patient is for dysrhythmias. After an MI, the heart's electrical system can be disrupted, leading to various types of abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias). Dysrhythmias can be life-threatening and require prompt recognition and intervention.
Other options:
B) Anxiety and fear: Anxiety and fear are common emotional responses after an MI, but they are not the highest priority for monitoring during the immediate post-MI period. Emotional support and counseling are essential, but they do not require continuous monitoring.
C) Metabolic acidosis: Metabolic acidosis is not a common complication of an acute MI. It may occur in certain situations, such as when there is inadequate perfusion to tissues, but it is not the highest priority during the immediate post-MI period.
D) Medication side effects: Monitoring for medication side effects is important but is not the highest priority during the immediate post-MI period. Many patients will receive medications to manage pain, reduce clot formation, and stabilize their heart function. The nurse should monitor for side effects but not as a higher priority compared to dysrhythmias.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This statement indicates effective learning because serum cardiac markers are indeed proteins that are released from necrotic (damaged) heart muscle cells when there is myocardial injury, such as in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These markers are measured in blood tests and help in the diagnosis and assessment of ACS, particularly myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Option A is incorrect because a nitroprusside stress echocardiogram is not used for acute pericarditis. It is a diagnostic test used for evaluating coronary artery disease and ischemia.
Option B is incorrect because a pathologic Q wave is not always present in the electrocardiogram (ECG) of patients with unstable angina. It is a characteristic finding in the ECG of patients with a previous myocardial infarction (heart attack) but may not be present in unstable angina.
Option D is incorrect because coronary angiography is not the only way to confirm the diagnosis of unstable angina. Unstable angina is primarily diagnosed based on the clinical presentation, symptoms, and changes in the ECG. Coronary angiography is an invasive procedure used to visualize the coronary arteries directly and is typically reserved for cases where further assessment and intervention are needed, such as in cases of suspected coronary artery disease.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.