A geriatric patient received a narcotic analgesic before leaving the post-anesthesia care unit to return to the regular unit.
What is the priority nursing action for the nurse receiving the patient on the regular unit?
Administer a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Put side rails up and place bed in the lowest position.
Encourage fluids.
Create a restful dark environment.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Administering a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is not a priority action for a patient who has received a narcotic analgesic. The priority should be to ensure the patient’s safety and prevent falls, which can occur due to the sedative effects of narcotics.
Choice B rationale
Putting side rails up and placing the bed in the lowest position is essential for patient safety. Narcotics can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired coordination, increasing the risk of falls. Ensuring the bed is in the lowest position and side rails are up helps prevent injury if the patient tries to get up.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging fluids is beneficial for many patients, but it is not the priority action when a patient has received a narcotic analgesic. Hydration is important but secondary to ensuring the patient’s immediate safety.
Choice D rationale
Creating a restful, dark environment may help the patient rest, but it does not directly address the immediate safety needs of a patient who has received a narcotic analgesic. The focus should be on preventing falls and injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Working with animals is typically done in preclinical trials before phase I studies in humans and is not part of phase III drug evaluation studies.
Choice B rationale
Conducting research to determine the effectiveness of the drug is part of phase II studies. Phase III studies focus more on confirming effectiveness, monitoring side effects, and comparing it to commonly used treatments.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring and observing patients closely for adverse effects is a key responsibility in phase III drug evaluation studies. These studies involve a larger patient population to gather comprehensive safety and efficacy data.
Choice D rationale
Choosing appropriate patients to be involved in the study is primarily the responsibility of researchers and clinicians during the earlier phases of drug development, such as phase I and phase II studies.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle cannot pump blood effectively, leading to a backup of blood and fluid buildup in the lungs, legs, and other parts of the body. This explanation is accurate and helps the patient understand the nature of their condition.
Choice B rationale
Reduced oncotic pressure due to increased protein levels is not a primary factor in heart failure. Heart failure is related to the heart’s inability to pump effectively, not protein levels affecting oncotic pressure.
Choice C rationale
Hydrostatic pressure pushing fluids out of the capillaries is not directly related to heart failure. In heart failure, the issue lies in the heart’s inability to pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup rather than fluid being pushed out of capillaries.
Choice D rationale
The decrease in venous pressure from the backup of blood does not cause heart failure. Heart failure results from the heart’s inability to pump blood effectively, leading to increased pressure and fluid buildup, not a decrease in venous pressure.
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