A patient is receiving opioids for pain. Which bowel assessment is a priority?

Constipation

Diarrhea

Hemorrhoids

Clostridium Difficile

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Opioids slow gastrointestinal motility by binding to mu-opioid receptors in the gut, reducing peristalsis and increasing water absorption, leading to constipation. This is a common, predictable side effect requiring proactive monitoring to prevent discomfort or complications like impaction.

Choice B reason: Diarrhea is less likely with opioids, which typically cause constipation. While diarrhea could indicate an unrelated issue, it is not a primary concern associated with opioid use, making it a lower priority for assessment.

Choice C reason: Hemorrhoids may result from straining due to constipation but are a secondary concern. Opioids do not directly cause hemorrhoids, so assessing for constipation takes precedence to address the root cause of potential straining.

Choice D reason: Clostridium difficile infection is a risk with antibiotic use, not opioids. While opioid-induced constipation could alter gut flora indirectly, C. difficile is not a primary concern, making constipation the more immediate assessment priority.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Sufficient medication in the PCA syringe does not indicate effective pain management. It may reflect underuse due to inadequate pain control or patient misunderstanding of PCA use. Pain relief is assessed by patient-reported outcomes, not medication volume remaining.

Choice B reason: Sleeping and being difficult to arouse suggests oversedation, a potential adverse effect of PCA, particularly with opioids. This indicates excessive dosing rather than effective pain management, risking respiratory depression or other complications, requiring immediate dose adjustment or monitoring.

Choice C reason: A pain rating of 2 on a 0 to 10 scale indicates effective pain management. PCA allows patients to self-administer doses within safe limits, achieving low pain levels without excessive sedation, reflecting optimal balance of analgesia and patient safety post-trauma.

Choice D reason: Pressing the PCA button shows patient engagement but not pain control effectiveness. Frequent pressing may indicate inadequate relief, while infrequent use could reflect sufficient control or misunderstanding. Patient-reported pain levels are the primary indicator of PCA efficacy.

A. I will only need to be on this pain medication. B. I need the nurse to notify me when it is time for another dose. C. I feel less anxiety about the possibility of overdosing. D. I can receive the pain medication as frequently as I need to.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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.

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A patient is receiving opioids for pain. Which bowel assessment is a priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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