A nurse is caring for a client who has a fractured leg and rates their pain as 7 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?
Hydrocodone
Acetaminophen
Fentanyl
Aspirin
The Correct Answer is A
A. Hydrocodone. This is an opioid analgesic appropriate for moderate to severe pain, such as a pain rating of 7/10. It is commonly used for acute pain management in cases like fractures and provides effective relief when non-opioids are insufficient.
B. Acetaminophen. While useful for mild to moderate pain, acetaminophen alone is likely inadequate for severe pain like that associated with a fracture rated 7/10.
C. Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent opioid used for severe or chronic pain, often in controlled settings such as surgery or cancer care. For an acute fracture, hydrocodone is typically preferred unless pain is extreme or uncontrolled.
D. Aspirin. Aspirin is primarily used for mild pain or anti-inflammatory purposes and is not appropriate as a first-line agent for severe pain. Additionally, it may increase the risk of bleeding, which is a consideration in trauma cases.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Place a warm, wet washcloth over your child's forehead and the bridge of their nose." Warm compresses may actually dilate blood vessels, which can worsen the bleeding. Cold compresses are preferred to help constrict vessels.
B. "Use your thumb and forefinger to apply pressure to the sides of your child's nose." This is the correct first-aid measure for epistaxis. The parent should pinch the soft part of the nose continuously for 10–15 minutes while the child leans forward.
C. "Have your child lie down and turn their head to the side for 10 minutes." Lying down can increase blood flow to the nose and may cause blood to be swallowed, which can lead to nausea or vomiting.
D. “Tell your child to blow their nose gently, and then sit down and tilt their head backward." Tilting the head back can cause blood to drain into the throat, increasing the risk of aspiration and stomach upset. Leaning forward is the proper position.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"A"}
Explanation
Miosis : Pinpoint pupils are a hallmark of opioid overdose due to stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. This finding helps distinguish opioid toxicity from other types of substance use, which often cause pupil dilation instead.
Respiratory depression : Opioids depress the medullary respiratory centers in the brainstem, leading to slowed breathing. A respiratory rate of 10/min is significantly reduced and signals impaired ventilation, making it a critical diagnostic clue.
Opioid overdose: The clinical signs—needle marks, sedation, pinpoint pupils, bradypnea, and a positive response to naloxone—all strongly point to an opioid overdose. A similar prior episode adds to the likelihood of chronic opioid misuse.
Alcohol intoxication: While alcohol can depress the central nervous system, it does not typically cause miosis or respond to naloxone. Also, the pattern of rapid reversal with naloxone suggests opioid involvement rather than alcohol alone.
Benzodiazepine overdose: Though it shares features like sedation and respiratory depression with opioid overdose, benzodiazepine toxicity does not cause miosis, and naloxone has limited or no effectiveness as a reversal agent.
Cocaine intoxication : Typically causes stimulant effects including mydriasis (dilated pupils), increased heart rate, hypertension, and agitation. These are not consistent with the symptoms in this case, which reflect CNS depression.
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