A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Administer the benzodiazepine but withhold the opioid.
Continue the medication dosages that relieve the client's pain.
Contact the provider about replacing the opioid with an NSAID.
Withhold the benzodiazepine but continue the opioid.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Withholding the opioid may lead to inadequate pain relief, which isn't the best approach, especially in a terminally ill patient experiencing severe pain.
B. Continuing the medication dosages that relieve pain is important for the client's comfort, even if it causes somnolence.
C. Contacting the provider to consider an NSAID might be an option, but immediate relief should not be compromised while awaiting a change in medication.
D. Withholding the benzodiazepine might be considered if the sedation is excessive, but prioritizing pain relief is crucial in end-of-life care unless there are severe adverse effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A client receiving an operation on the wrong side of the body is a serious medical error but might not inherently involve an ethical dilemma unless the decision-making process and accountability are in question.
B. A parent wanting a 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will involves conflicting values of autonomy, beneficence, and parental rights,
constituting an ethical dilemma.
C. A visitor experiencing a minor burn is an incident but doesn't inherently pose an ethical dilemma.
D. A nurse witnessing another nurse administering an incorrect medication is a patient safety issue but might not inherently involve an ethical dilemma unless there are questions about reporting or intervening in the situation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Telephone consent from the facility administrator might not be sufficient for the specific informed consent required for surgery on an unconscious client.
B. Delaying surgery to ensure proper informed consent is obtained is not appropriate since the client is in a critical condition and delaying surgery might cause death.
C. Asking the anesthesiologist to sign the consent is not appropriate as the responsibility for obtaining informed consent typically lies with the surgeon or responsible provider.
D. Transporting the client to the operating room without informed consent is appropriate in emergency situations where the client is unconscious.
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.