A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain in his left leg that he rates as an 8 on a scale from 0 to 10 and states that he feels tingling and numbness in his toes.

The patient has an order for morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus PRN every two hours for pain greater than 7, last administered three hours ago, and ibuprofen 400 mg PO PRN every four hours for pain less than or equal to 7, last administered six hours ago.

What action should the nurse take first?

Administer morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus.

Administer ibuprofen 400 mg PO.

Assess the patient’s leg for circulation, sensation, and movement.

Reassess the patient’s pain in 15 minutes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

The correct answer is choice C. Assess the patient’s leg for circulation, sensation, and movement.

This is because the patient’s symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness in his left leg could indicate a potential complication of impaired blood flow or nerve damage after surgery. The nurse should prioritize assessing the patient’s leg for any signs of compromised circulation, sensation, or movement before administering any pain medication.

Choice A is wrong because administering morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus without assessing the patient’s leg could mask the symptoms of a serious problem and delay appropriate interventions. Morphine sulfate is a potent opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression, sedation, and constipation.

Choice B is wrong because administering ibuprofen 400 mg PO without assessing the patient’s leg could also mask the symptoms of a serious problem and delay appropriate interventions. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, renal impairment, and increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Choice D is wrong because reassessing the patient’s pain in 15 minutes without assessing the patient’s leg could result in the worsening of the patient’s condition and increased risk of complications. The nurse should not delay assessing the patient’s leg for any signs of impaired circulation, sensation, or movement.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A, C and E. These statements indicate that the client understands the teaching about nonpharmacological pain management techniques.

• Choice A is correct becausemeditationcan help the client relax and cope with pain by reducing stress and anxiety.

• Choice C is correct becausedistractioncan help the client divert attention from pain by engaging in enjoyable or stimulating activities.

• Choice E is correct becauseheatcan help the client soothe the painful area by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles.

• Choice B is wrong becausecold packsshould not be applied to the painful area for more than15 minutesat a time, as they can cause tissue damage or frostbite.

• Choice D is wrong becausemassageshould not be done with firm pressure, as it can aggravate the pain or cause injury.Gentle massage may be beneficial for some clients.

A. Respiratory rate: 10 breaths/min B. Blood pressure: 110/70 mm Hg C. Heart rate: 72 beats/min D. Temperature: 37°C.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A) Respiratory rate: 10 breaths/min.This indicates that the patient may be experiencing respiratory depression, which is a serious adverse effect of buprenorphine and other opioids.

Respiratory depression can lead to hypoxia, brain damage, or death if not treated promptly.

The normal respiratory rate for adults is 12 to 20 breaths/min.

Choice B) Blood pressure: 110/70 mm Hg is wrong because this is within the normal range for adults, which is 90/60 to 120/80 mm Hg.Buprenorphine can cause hypotension as a side effect, but this is not evident in this case.

Choice C) Heart rate: 72 beats/min is wrong because this is also within the normal range for adults, which is 60 to 100 beats/min.Buprenorphine can cause bradycardia as a side effect, but this is not evident in this case.

Choice D) Temperature: 37°C is wrong because this is the normal body temperature for humans.Buprenorphine can cause hyperthermia as a side effect, but this is not evident in this case.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic pain about nonpharmacological pain management techniques. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.).

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving epidural analgesia with buprenorphine (Buprenex). Which assessment finding would indicate that an adverse effect may be occurring?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who takes acetaminophen for osteoarthritis pain management.Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to possible hepatotoxicity? (Select all that apply.).

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, for mild pain. Which laboratory test result should the nurse monitor closely in this client?

(Select all that apply) A patient with postoperative pain is prescribed hydroxyzine as an adjuvant analgesic. The nurse should teach the patient about which of the following benefits of this medication.

A patient who is addicted to heroin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of an infection. The patient is prescribed methadone (Dolophine) as part of a detoxification program. What is the rationale for using methadone in this patient?

A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic hepatitis C and reports taking acetaminophen daily for headaches.The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

A patient who has chronic low back pain is prescribed oxycodone (OxyContin) for long-term use. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to prevent complications from this medication? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has a sickle cell crisis and is receiving morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Which assessment finding indicates that the PCA pump is effective?