A nurse is teaching a patient about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that teaching is effective?
I will only need to be on this pain medication.
I need the nurse to notify me when it is time for another dose.
I feel less anxiety about the possibility of overdosing.
I can receive the pain medication as frequently as I need to.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Stating exclusive reliance on PCA suggests misunderstanding. Effective PCA teaching clarifies it’s part of a multimodal pain plan, potentially including other medications or therapies. This belief may limit comprehensive pain management, risking inadequate relief or prolonged recovery.
Choice B reason: Needing nurse notification for doses indicates misunderstanding. PCA allows patient-initiated dosing within programmed limits, promoting autonomy. This statement suggests reliance on external cues, undermining PCA’s purpose of self-controlled analgesia, potentially leading to delayed or inadequate pain relief.
Choice C reason: Feeling less anxious about overdosing shows understanding of PCA safety features, like lockout intervals and dose limits, preventing excessive administration. This reflects effective teaching, as patients confident in PCA’s safety can focus on pain management, improving compliance and outcomes.
Choice D reason: Believing medication can be received as frequently as needed is incorrect. PCA has programmed lockout intervals to prevent overdosing. This misunderstanding risks patient frustration or unsafe attempts to override limits, highlighting ineffective teaching about PCA’s controlled delivery system.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A negative fecal occult blood test suggests no gastrointestinal bleeding, reducing the urgency for a colonoscopy. Black stool can result from benign causes like iron supplements, so immediate invasive procedures are not warranted without further history or symptoms.
Choice B reason: Assuming a false negative without evidence is premature. Fecal occult blood tests are reliable for detecting bleeding. Black stool may stem from non-bleeding causes like medications or diet, and suggesting a false result could unnecessarily alarm the patient.
Choice C reason: Stress does not directly cause black stool. While stress can exacerbate gastrointestinal issues, black stool is more likely due to dietary factors, medications, or rare conditions. This question is vague and less relevant to the symptom’s likely etiology.
Choice D reason: Iron supplements commonly cause black stool due to the oxidation of iron in the gastrointestinal tract, a benign side effect. Given the negative fecal occult blood test, asking about iron supplements is the most appropriate, targeted response to identify a likely cause.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: A bladder scan is the first step to assess urine retention noninvasively. It measures bladder volume, determining if the client is retaining urine post-catheter removal. This guides further interventions, preventing unnecessary procedures and addressing potential complications like urinary retention or bladder distention.
Choice B reason: Increasing fluids without assessing bladder volume is premature and risky. If retention exists, more fluid could exacerbate bladder distention, causing discomfort or injury. Fluid management should follow confirmation of voiding ability, ensuring the bladder can empty effectively to avoid complications.
Choice C reason: Assisting to the bathroom assumes the client can void, which may not be true post-catheter. Without confirming bladder function via a scan, this action risks missing retention, potentially leading to bladder overdistention or urinary tract complications, delaying appropriate intervention.
Choice D reason: Inserting a straight catheter is invasive and should not be the first action. Without a bladder scan to confirm retention, catheterization risks unnecessary discomfort or infection. Noninvasive assessment precedes invasive interventions to ensure patient safety and appropriate management of post-catheter voiding issues.
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