A nurse is assisting in the care of a patient who is receiving pain medication by the epidural route.
It is most important to monitor this patient for which adverse drug effects?

Constipation.

Hypoventilation.

Nausea.

Headache.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Constipation is not a common adverse effect of pain medication administered by the epidural route. Pain medication primarily affects the central nervous system and does not typically impact the gastrointestinal system in a way that would lead to constipation.

Choice B rationale:

Hypoventilation is the correct answer. When opioids or other potent pain medications are administered by the epidural route, they can depress the respiratory center in the brain, leading to hypoventilation (slow or inadequate breathing). This is a critical concern and the most important adverse effect to monitor because it can lead to respiratory compromise or even respiratory arrest.

Choice C rationale:

Nausea can be a side effect of some pain medications, but it is not the most important adverse effect to monitor in a patient receiving epidural pain medication. Nausea can often be managed with antiemetic medications.

Choice D rationale:

Headache is not a common adverse effect of epidural pain medication. The administration of pain medication into the epidural space is localized to the spinal area and does not typically lead to headaches.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The correct answer is D. "I will call for pain medication before the previous dose wears off."

Choice A rationale:

This statement indicates a misunderstanding of pain management. Avoiding medication to prevent addiction can lead to uncontrolled pain, which can hinder recovery and increase the risk of complications.

Choice B rationale:

While this statement shows the client is aware of their pain, waiting until it becomes intolerable can result in periods of severe discomfort and potential setbacks in recovery.

Choice C rationale:

Relying on a nurse to evaluate pain before requesting medication can delay pain relief, leading to unnecessary suffering and potential complications.

Choice D rationale:

This statement indicates an understanding of proactive pain management. By requesting medication before the previous dose wears off, the client helps maintain consistent pain control, which is crucial for recovery and preventing pain escalation.

A. take a warm bath each time she cannot go back to sleep. B. review times in her life when she had no insomnia. C. keep a diary related to sleep and problems encountered. D. discuss the problem with her friends.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Taking a warm bath before trying to go back to sleep is a relaxation technique that may help with sleep but does not address the underlying causes of insomnia. It is more of a short-term coping strategy rather than a method for locating the reasons for the insomnia.

Choice B rationale:

Reviewing times in her life when she had no insomnia is not a practical approach to addressing the current issue of insomnia. It does not help in identifying the specific factors or triggers contributing to the patient's current sleep problems.

Choice C rationale:

Keeping a diary related to sleep and problems encountered is a practical and effective approach to identify the factors contributing to the patient's insomnia. This diary can help track patterns, such as bedtime routines, diet, stressors, and other variables that may be linked to the sleep problem. Identifying these factors can aid in developing a plan to address the specific causes of the insomnia.

Choice D rationale:

Discussing the problem with her friends may provide emotional support but is unlikely to help identify the root causes of the insomnia. Friends may offer advice or share their experiences, but a structured approach like keeping a sleep diary is more likely to yield valuable information.

View Question and Answer

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

A nurse is assisting in the care of a patient who is receiving pain medication by the epidural route.It is most important to monitor this patient for which adverse drug effects?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about pain control with a client who has acute pain following a subtotal gastric resection. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of pain control?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

One thing the nurse would ask the patient to do to try to locate the reason for her insomnia is to:.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse appreciates the principal advantage in using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is that it:.

The nurse performing a focused assessment on pain will assess: (Select all that apply.).

There are several different types of pain.Which type of pain occurs after the loss of a body part from an amputation?

A nurse is assisting in the care of a patient who is receiving pain medication by the epidural route.It is most important to monitor this patient for which adverse drug effects?

The patient having difficulty sleeping lives right off the freeway in an apartment complex where many young people live.To try to alleviate the problem, the nurse counsels her to try:.

A nurse caring for a patient who suffered a severe sprain and has an order for a cold pack application to the injured area would prevent patient injury by:.

The nurse takes into consideration that when the patient has an order for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), the pump will be programmed by the:

A patient is receiving an ice massage for relief of muscle spasms in the neck.The patient complains that the ice is making the pain worse.Most helpful response from the nurse would be:.

A nurse is assisting in the care of a patient who is receiving pain medication by the epidural route.
It is most important to monitor this patient for which adverse drug effects?