A nurse is assessing a client who has a brain tumor and is receiving palliative care. Which of the following findings indicates the nurse should administer pain medication?
Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Mottled skin
Constricted pupils
Grimacing
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Cheyne-Stokes respirations, alternating hyperventilation and apnea, indicate neurological dysfunction or end-of-life changes in brain tumor patients, not pain. This reflects brainstem involvement, requiring respiratory management rather than analgesics, as it is a physiological response to disease progression in palliative care.
Choice B reason: Mottled skin signals poor perfusion or impending death, common in palliative care as circulation declines. It is not a pain indicator but a sign of systemic shutdown, requiring comfort measures like warmth, not analgesics, which are irrelevant to this physiological change in terminal illness.
Choice C reason: Constricted pupils may reflect opioid effects or neurological changes in brain tumor patients but do not directly indicate pain. They suggest autonomic or brainstem dysfunction, necessitating neurological assessment, not immediate pain medication, in palliative care where comfort is prioritized based on clear pain cues.
Choice D reason: Grimacing indicates pain in palliative care patients with brain tumors, reflecting physical discomfort. As a facial expression of distress, it signals the need for analgesics to improve comfort and quality of life, aligning with palliative goals to manage pain effectively in end-stage disease.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reassuring the client about future children minimizes her current grief and loss, which is inappropriate during initial grieving. This dismisses the emotional significance of the stillbirth, potentially causing distress, making it an insensitive and incorrect action.
Choice B reason: Discouraging friends from seeing the newborn restricts the client’s support system and grieving process. Allowing such interactions can provide closure and comfort, so this action is counterproductive and insensitive, making it incorrect for supporting grief.
Choice C reason: Offering to take pictures of the newborn provides a tangible memory, supporting the client’s grieving process. This sensitive intervention validates the loss and aids emotional healing, aligning with best practices for stillbirth care, making it the correct action.
Choice D reason: Advising against discussing the stillbirth isolates the client and hinders grief processing. Open communication with family fosters support and healing, so this action is harmful and contradicts grief support principles, making it incorrect.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Applying nitroglycerin ointment in a thin, even layer ensures consistent absorption for angina relief, as specified by dosing guidelines (e.g., using a dosing paper). This maximizes efficacy and minimizes side effects like hypotension, aligning with manufacturer instructions, making it the correct teaching point.
Choice B reason: Applying to the forearm is not standard, as nitroglycerin ointment is typically applied to the chest, upper arm, or back for optimal absorption. Forearm application may reduce effectiveness due to skin thickness, making this an incorrect site choice.
Choice C reason: Applying every 4 hours is incorrect, as nitroglycerin ointment is typically applied 2-3 times daily, with a 12-hour nitrate-free interval to prevent tolerance. This frequency is too frequent and risks side effects, making it an inaccurate instruction.
Choice D reason: Massaging nitroglycerin ointment into the skin is contraindicated, as it alters absorption rates and may cause inconsistent dosing or irritation. The ointment is spread lightly and covered, making this instruction incorrect and potentially harmful for proper administration.
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.
