One hour after arriving on the postoperative unit, a woman who received spinal anesthesia 5 hours ago is complaining of severe abdominal incisional pain. Her vital signs are: temperature 99° F (37.2° C), heart rate 110 beats/minute, respiratory rate 30 breaths/minute and blood pressure 160/90 mmHg. The client's skin is pale, and the surgical dressing is dry and Intact. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to Implement?
Provide pillow for splinting.
Assess the IV site for patency.
Place in a high Fowler position.
Administer an IV analgesic.
None
None
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is Choice D
Choice A rationale: Splinting with a pillow may reduce discomfort during movement or coughing by stabilizing the incision site, but it does not address acute postoperative pain with sympathetic overdrive. The elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure suggest a stress response mediated by catecholamines. Without analgesia, nociceptive signals continue to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. While splinting is supportive, it lacks the pharmacologic efficacy needed to blunt nociceptive transmission at the spinal or supraspinal level.
Choice B rationale: Assessing IV patency is a procedural prerequisite for medication administration but not a therapeutic intervention in itself. It does not directly address the pathophysiology of acute pain or the sympathetic surge evidenced by tachycardia and hypertension. Pain activates ascending pathways via A-delta and C fibers, requiring pharmacologic blockade. IV access assessment is necessary but secondary to the urgent need for analgesia to prevent complications like hypoxia, hyperventilation, or delayed recovery.
Choice C rationale: High Fowler positioning may improve diaphragmatic excursion and reduce pulmonary complications, but it does not mitigate visceral or incisional pain. In fact, increased intra-abdominal pressure from upright posture may exacerbate pain at the surgical site. Pain perception involves central sensitization and peripheral nociceptor activation, which are unaffected by positioning. The client’s pale skin and elevated vitals indicate systemic distress requiring analgesic intervention, not postural adjustment. Thus, this choice lacks direct analgesic benefit.
Choice D rationale: IV analgesics act rapidly to inhibit nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord and brainstem levels. Opioids bind to mu receptors, reducing neurotransmitter release and hyperpolarizing neurons, thereby dampening pain signals. This intervention directly targets the physiologic cause of elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Normal heart rate is 60–100 bpm, respiratory rate 12–20 breaths/min, and BP <120/80 mmHg. Prompt analgesia prevents complications like hypoxia, delayed healing, and neuroendocrine stress
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["9"]
Explanation
Here are the steps you can follow to calculate the infusion pump flow rate:
Step 1: Calculate the prescribed dose in mcg/min
- Dose per weight: 2 mcg/kg/min * 60 kg = 120 mcg/min
Step 2: Convert the concentration in the IV bag to mcg/mL
- Convert mg to mcg: 200 mg * 1000 mcg/mg = 200,000 mcg
- Concentration: 200,000 mcg / 250 mL = 800 mcg/mL
Step 3: Calculate the flow rate in mL/min
- Flow rate: 120 mcg/min / 800 mcg/mL = 0.15 mL/min
Step 4: Convert the flow rate to mL/hour
- Hour conversion: 0.15 mL/min * 60 min/hour = 9 mL/hour
Therefore, the nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver 9 mL/hour.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) This option is unnecessary because droplet precautions do not require a particulate filter mask. Particulate filter masks are needed for airborne precautions. Sending the UAP for fitting delays care without providing additional safety benefits for droplet precautions.
B) While a standard face mask is appropriate for droplet precautions, the part about getting fitted for a filter mask is unnecessary. It implies that a particulate filter mask is needed, which it is not for droplet precautions. This option also incorrectly suggests that vital signs can be obtained with a standard mask, but personal care requires a particulate filter mask, which is not accurate.
C) Droplet precautions require the use of a standard face mask, not a particulate filter mask (such as an N95 respirator). Particulate filter masks are required for airborne precautions, which are necessary for diseases like tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox. For droplet precautions, a standard surgical mask is adequate to prevent the transmission of infections like influenza. Thus, the UAP can safely provide care to the client with flu-like symptoms by wearing a standard face mask.
D) This option is unnecessary because a particulate filter mask is not required for droplet precautions. Changing assignments based on this criterion is not needed and could disrupt the workflow without enhancing safety. The focus should be on ensuring staff understand and use the appropriate PPE for droplet precautions.
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