A nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse on the purpose of administering vecuronium to a client with severe respiratory distress. What action by the newly licensed nurse indicates a comprehensive understanding of the medication's effects?

Correctly identifying that vecuronium is used to facilitate mechanical ventilation.

Mentioning that vecuronium is administered to reduce anxiety in patients with severe respiratory distress.

Stating that vecuronium is primarily given to treat inflammation.

Indicating that vecuronium is given to treat infections in clients with severe respiratory distress.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Correctly identifying that vecuronium is used to facilitate mechanical ventilation: Vecuronium is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent that competitively inhibits acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors in the neuromuscular junction. This prevents depolarization of skeletal muscle, resulting in flaccid paralysis. In clients with severe respiratory distress, it is administered to optimize ventilator synchrony and reduce oxygen consumption.

B. Mentioning that vecuronium is administered to reduce anxiety in patients with severe respiratory distress: Vecuronium does not have sedative, anxiolytic, or analgesic properties. It produces paralysis without affecting consciousness or pain perception, which is why sedation and analgesia must be administered concurrently.

C. Stating that vecuronium is primarily given to treat inflammation: Vecuronium has no anti-inflammatory properties and does not act on immune or inflammatory pathways. Its pharmacologic action is limited to neuromuscular transmission blockade. Inflammatory conditions are treated with corticosteroids or other targeted therapies.

D. Indicating that vecuronium is given to treat infections in clients with severe respiratory distress: Vecuronium does not possess antimicrobial activity and does not address infectious processes. Neuromuscular blockers are used to manage ventilation mechanics rather than treat the underlying infection.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["56.8"]

Explanation

Calculation:

Identify the client’s weight in pounds

Weight: 125 lbs

Convert pounds to kilograms

1 kg = 2.2 lbs

Weight in kg = 125 ÷ 2.2

= 56.818 kg

Round to one decimal place

= 56.8 kg

A. Morphine B. Acetaminophen C. Ibuprofen D. Oxycodone

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Morphine: Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic indicated for moderate to severe pain. In older adults, opioids carry increased risks of sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, delirium, and falls due to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. For mild pain, the risks generally outweigh the benefits as first-line therapy.

B. Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is considered first-line therapy for mild pain in geriatric clients due to its favorable safety profile when used within recommended dosing limits. It lacks the gastrointestinal bleeding risk associated with NSAIDs and does not cause central nervous system depression like opioids.

C. Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, ulceration, renal impairment, and increased cardiovascular risk. Older adults are particularly susceptible to these adverse effects due to age-related declines in renal function and gastric mucosal protection.

D. Oxycodone: Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain and carries similar risks to morphine in elderly clients. Adverse effects such as sedation, constipation, respiratory depression, and increased fall risk are significant concerns. It is not recommended as initial treatment for mild pain in geriatric patients.

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A nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse on the purpose of administering vecuronium to a client with severe respiratory distress. What action by the newly licensed nurse indicates a comprehensive understanding of the medication's effects?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. The prescribed dose is 0.05 mg/kg. The client weighs 125 pounds. How many kilograms does the client weigh?

Correct Answer is ["56.8"]

Explanation

Which analgesic is preferred for initial treatment of mild pain in the geriatric population?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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A nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse on the purpose of administering vecuronium to a client with severe respiratory distress. What action by the newly licensed nurse indicates a comprehensive understanding of the medication's effects?