A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has 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?
Continue the medication dosages that relieve the client’s pain
Contact the provider about replacing the opioid with an NSAID
Administer the benzodiazepine but withhold the opioid
Withhold the benzodiazepine but continue the opioid
The Correct Answer is D
a. Continuing both medications may exacerbate the somnolence and difficulty arousing experienced by the client. It's essential to address the adverse effects promptly.
b. NSAIDs are not typically the first choice for severe pain management in terminal illness, especially when opioids are already prescribed. Moreover, replacing the opioid with an NSAID may not adequately address the pain.
c. Administering the benzodiazepine alongside the opioid may further potentiate the sedative effects and worsen the client's condition.
d. This is the most appropriate action. Withholding the benzodiazepine can help mitigate the sedation while continuing the opioid ensures ongoing pain relief for the client's comfort without introducing additional sedating medications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. Rotavirus infections are typically reported to local health departments, but they are not generally considered reportable diseases to state health departments.
b. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a reportable disease in most jurisdictions due to its contagious nature and potential for outbreaks.
c. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are not usually reportable to state health departments unless they are part of a larger outbreak or cluster of cases.
d. Group B streptococcus (GBS) infections, while significant in certain populations such as newborns, are not typically reportable diseases to state health departments.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
a. Recommending the AP come back later may delay necessary documentation and disrupt workflow.
b. Logging out so the AP can log in to document the vital signs ensures accurate and timely documentation without compromising security or privacy.
c. Offering to chart the vital signs for the AP may blur roles and responsibilities, as charting should be done by the individual who performed the assessment.
d. Allowing the AP to document vital signs prior to logging out may violate policies regarding unauthorized
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