History and Physical

The client is a 26-year-old female with acute appendicitis. She has a 12-year history of type 1 diabetes and no other significant medical histor The appendectomy was completed without issue, and the client will be admitted to the surgical floor to recover.

For each nursing action below, click to specify if the action is indicated, contraindicated or non-essential.

Choice A rationale; When a client requests pain medication, the first action the nurse should take is to assess the client's current pain level. By using a pain scale, the nurse can determine the intensity of the pain and evaluate the need for pain medication appropriately. The pain scale allows the client to express their pain on a standardized scale, helping the nurse to understand the severity of the pain and the most appropriate pain management intervention.

Choice B rationale: While diversional thoughts and non-pharmacological pain management techniques can be useful, the priority is to first assess the pain level and address the client's immediate needs for pain relief.

Choice C rationale: While it's important to consider the client's history of drug use, it is not the first action to take when a client requests pain medication. Assessing the pain level and providing appropriate pain relief should be the initial priority.

Choice D rationale: While it's essential to know the last dose of pain medication the client received, it is not the first action to take when the client is requesting pain medication. Assessing the current pain level and addressing the client's immediate needs should be the first step. The information about the last dose will be relevant for deciding when the next dose can be given.

Choice A rationale: Tetracycline should generally be taken on an empty stomach, as certain food and beverages, including orange juice, can interfere with its absorption. The nurse should instruct the client to take tetracycline with water and on an empty stomach unless otherwise specified by the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale: Tetracycline is an antibiotic that can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of sunburn and photosensitivity reactions. To prevent these adverse effects, the nurse should instruct the client to protect their skin from sunlight while taking the medication. This includes using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding prolonged sun exposure. It is essential to educate the client about this potential side effect to ensure their safety and minimize skin reactions during treatment.

Choice C rationale: Tetracycline does not require routine monitoring of serum drug levels. It is an antibiotic with a well-established dosing regimen, and monitoring drug levels is not necessary for its safe and effective use.

Choice D rationale: While taking tetracycline with milk or antacids may help reduce GI irritation, it can also interfere with the absorption of the medication. Therefore, it is generally recommended to take tetracycline with water and on an empty stomach to ensure optimal absorption and effectiveness.