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 D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Guiding the client by walking parallel is less effective than offering an arm for support, which provides stability and orientation. Parallel walking does not ensure safe navigation for someone with visual impairment, as it lacks physical guidance, making it less appropriate for preventing falls or ensuring safety.
Choice B reason: Using a loud tone of voice assumes hearing impairment, which is not indicated in visual sensory loss. Normal volume with clear enunciation is sufficient, and loud tones may be perceived as disrespectful or startling. This intervention is unnecessary and inappropriate for addressing visual impairment, focusing on an irrelevant sensory issue.
Choice C reason: Rearranging bedside table items frequently disorients a visually impaired client, increasing confusion and fall risk. Consistent placement of items supports independence and safety by allowing the client to rely on memory and touch, making this intervention counterproductive and unsafe for the care plan.
Choice D reason: Removing objects from the path to the bathroom prevents tripping hazards, enhancing safety for a client with reduced visual perception. This intervention reduces fall risk, promotes independent mobility, and aligns with evidence-based practices for visually impaired individuals, making it the most effective and appropriate action.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Dry cough is not associated with sertraline, an SSRI affecting serotonin pathways. Cough is linked to ACE inhibitors via bradykinin accumulation, not SSRIs, which cause neurological or gastrointestinal side effects. Including this misinforms the client about sertraline’s actual adverse effect profile.
Choice B reason: Increased urinary frequency is not a common sertraline side effect. SSRIs may cause urinary retention due to anticholinergic effects, but frequent urination is linked to diuretics or diabetes. Sertraline’s effects focus on serotonin-mediated mood changes, not bladder function alterations.
Choice C reason: Excessive sweating is a recognized sertraline adverse effect, driven by serotonin’s influence on autonomic sweat gland regulation. This hyperhidrosis, common in SSRI therapy, affects patient comfort and adherence, requiring education to prepare clients for this side effect during depression treatment.
Choice D reason: Metallic taste is not linked to sertraline. It occurs with antibiotics or chemotherapy agents due to oral mucosa irritation. Sertraline’s side effects include nausea or insomnia, driven by serotonin modulation, not gustatory changes, making this an incorrect inclusion in teaching.
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