A patient has a morphine sulfate patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to control postoperative pain. When the nurse enters the room, the patient complains of pain. The nurse's first response is which of the following?
Ask the patient to rate the pain on a 0-to-10 scale.
Call the physician or health care provider immediately.
Check the patency of the patient's intravenous line.
Speak to the patient in a calming tone to reduce anxiety.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Ask the patient to rate the pain on a 0-to-10 scale. Pain is subjective, and the first step in pain management is assessment. Asking the patient to rate their pain helps determine the severity and whether adjustments to pain management are needed.
B. Call the physician or health care provider immediately. Contacting the provider may be necessary if the pain is uncontrolled, but the nurse must assess the pain level first before deciding if intervention is needed.
C. Check the patency of the patient's intravenous line. While an IV line is essential for PCA function, the priority is assessing the patient’s pain level before troubleshooting the equipment.
D. Speak to the patient in a calming tone to reduce anxiety. Although a calm demeanor is beneficial, it does not address the patient’s pain directly. Pain assessment is the first priority.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. An unconscious, intubated patient. An oral temperature is not appropriate for an unconscious or intubated patient due to the risk of injury and inability to follow instructions. A tympanic, rectal, or axillary method would be preferred.
B. A patient with bilateral middle ear infections. Tympanic thermometers measure temperature through the ear canal and tympanic membrane, which can be affected by infection or inflammation, leading to inaccurate readings. An oral or alternative method is preferred.
C. An agitated patient who cannot follow directions. Oral temperature requires cooperation, so it would not be suitable for an agitated patient who may bite or not keep the thermometer in place. A tympanic or axillary method would be better.
D. A patient with gastroenteritis who is vomiting. Vomiting can make oral temperature measurement uncomfortable and impractical. A tympanic, axillary, or rectal method would be more appropriate.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Ask the client to take deep breaths. Deep breathing can help relax the anal sphincter, but if resistance is already encountered, forcing the thermometer further could cause injury.
B. Remove the thermometer and reinsert more forcefully. Forcing the thermometer can cause damage to the rectal mucosa, leading to pain, bleeding, or even perforation.
C. Apply mild pressure to advance. Any resistance suggests a possible obstruction, such as stool or anatomical issues. Applying pressure could cause harm, so the thermometer should not be advanced further.
D. Remove the thermometer immediately. If resistance is encountered, the safest action is to withdraw the thermometer to prevent injury. The nurse should reassess the situation and consider alternative temperature measurement methods.
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