A nurse is assessing a client who received an opioid narcotic for incisional pain. Which of the following findings is the priority?
Pain level
Pulse oximetry
Blood pressure
Level of sedation
The Correct Answer is D
A) Pain level:
While assessing pain is important to determine the effectiveness of the pain management, it is not the immediate priority after administering an opioid.
B) Pulse oximetry:
Monitoring oxygen saturation is critical as opioids can depress respiratory function. However, it is indirectly related to the primary effect of the medication on the central nervous system.
C) Blood pressure:
Monitoring blood pressure is important as opioids can cause hypotension, but it is not as critical as monitoring the level of sedation and respiratory status.
D) Level of sedation:
This is the priority because opioids can cause significant sedation and respiratory depression. Assessing the level of sedation helps determine if the client is at risk of further complications like respiratory arrest. Over-sedation can be a precursor to more serious complications, making this assessment crucial.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) The client reports numbness at the site: Numbness at the insertion site is not a typical finding of infection. It may indicate nerve damage or another issue but is not specific to infection.
B) Purulent drainage noted from the site: Purulent drainage, characterized by pus-like discharge, is a common sign of infection at the insertion site of an intravenous catheter. It suggests the presence of bacteria and inflammation at the site.
C) Skin over the site is sloughing: Sloughing of the skin may occur with severe tissue damage but is not specific to infection. It could indicate other complications such as tissue necrosis or chemical irritation.
D) The vein appears cord-like: A cord-like appearance of the vein, known as thrombophlebitis, can occur with or without infection. It indicates inflammation and clot formation within the vein, which can be a complication of intravenous catheter insertion, but it does not specifically indicate infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Exposed bone: Exposed bone is a manifestation of a stage 4 pressure ulcer, where full-thickness skin loss occurs, exposing muscle, tendon, or bone. In stage 3 pressure ulcers, the skin loss extends into the subcutaneous tissue, but it does not reach the level of exposing underlying structures like bone.
B) Blood-filled blisters: Blood-filled blisters can occur in various stages of pressure ulcers, but they are not specific to stage 3. They may be present in stage 1 or stage 2 pressure ulcers as well.
C) Necrotic subcutaneous tissue: This is the correct manifestation of a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with visible necrosis or damage to the subcutaneous tissue. The ulcer may appear as a deep crater with or without undermining of adjacent tissue.
D) Partial-thickness skin loss: Partial-thickness skin loss is characteristic of stage 2 pressure ulcers, where the ulcer extends through the epidermis and into the dermis but does not involve deeper tissue layers like the subcutaneous tissue.
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