A nurse is preparing to teach the parents of a child who has cystic fibrosis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse plan to include?

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.

A. Fill out an incident report. While completing an incident report is necessary for documentation and quality improvement, it is not the priority action. The nurse must first assess the client's condition to address any immediate risks.
B. Report the incident to the nurse manager. Informing the nurse manager is important for accountability and follow-up, but client safety and assessment come first before escalating the issue to management.
C. Notify the provider. The provider should be informed after the nurse has assessed the client and gathered relevant data such as vital signs. This allows the provider to make informed decisions about further treatment or monitoring.
D. Measure the client's vital signs. Assessing the client is the first priority following a medication error to identify any adverse effects. Vital signs provide immediate data on the client’s physiological status and guide urgent interventions if needed.