The nurse has identified several diagnoses for a client in the hospital. Which problems should the nurse identify as having highest priority?

Problems that cause severe discomfort to the client

Problems the client deems most important

Problems that are immediately life-threatening for the client

Problems that are identified as priority by the physician

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A) Problems that cause severe discomfort to the client: While addressing discomfort is important in providing holistic care, it is not the highest priority in nursing. The nurse’s primary focus should be on life-threatening issues or those that could deteriorate the client’s condition rapidly. Severe discomfort can be managed once immediate threats to life are addressed.

B) Problems the client deems most important: Although it’s essential to consider the client’s perspective and involve them in their care plan, problems that are most important to the client may not always be the most urgent or life-threatening. For example, the client may prioritize pain management, but addressing life-threatening issues must always take precedence.

C) Problems that are immediately life-threatening for the client: This is the correct answer. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the nursing prioritization framework, life-threatening problems should always be the nurse's first priority. These are issues that, if not addressed immediately, can lead to death or severe complications. For instance, airway obstruction, severe bleeding, or shock would require immediate intervention.

D) Problems that are identified as priority by the physician: While the physician’s orders and priorities should be taken into consideration, the nurse must independently assess and prioritize care based on the overall health status of the client. This includes using clinical judgment to identify life-threatening conditions, even if they are not explicitly stated in the physician’s orders. Nurses are trained to identify priority issues through their assessments and are responsible for making decisions that ensure the client’s safety.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Opioid drugs are highly addictive, and the healthcare provider is concerned you will become addicted: While it is true that opioids have the potential for addiction, this response does not address the actual reason for the difference in morphine dosages. The provider's decision is likely based on the pharmacokinetics of the drug rather than a concern about addiction. This response could create unnecessary concern for the client and does not explain the dose discrepancy.

B) Morphine is highly bound to protein in your blood, and you are at risk for toxicity due to surgery: While morphine is protein-bound, the primary reason for the difference in the intravenous (IV) dose is not related to protein binding. The main difference is related to the route of administration and how the body processes the drug. The nurse should provide a more accurate explanation regarding the absorption and metabolism of morphine rather than focusing on protein binding or potential toxicity.

C) "Morphine taken by mouth passes through the liver, and some of the medication is made inactive": This is the best response. When morphine is taken orally, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and passes through the liver before reaching systemic circulation, a process known as the "first-pass effect." During this process, a portion of the drug is metabolized and rendered inactive, meaning that a higher oral dose is required to achieve the desired effect. When morphine is administered intravenously, it bypasses the liver and directly enters the bloodstream, leading to a more immediate and potent effect, which is why a lower dose is needed.

D) "The healthcare provider is cautious with opioids and starts low and adjusts the dose up as needed": While this is a valid approach to opioid prescribing, it doesn't fully explain why the client is receiving a smaller dose intravenously. The reason for the dose difference is based on the route of administration and the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug, not just a general cautious approach. This answer doesn't provide a clear explanation of why the IV dose is smaller.

A. 90 degrees B. 45 degrees C. 15 degrees D. 60 degrees

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) 90 degrees: For intramuscular (IM) injections, including in the ventrogluteal site, the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle to ensure that the medication is deposited deep into the muscle tissue. This angle allows the needle to penetrate the skin and subcutaneous tissue directly into the muscle where it can be absorbed efficiently. The ventrogluteal site, being a large and well-muscled area, is ideal for IM injections because it is less likely to cause damage to nerves or blood vessels, and a 90-degree angle ensures proper placement of the medication.

B) 45 degrees: A 45-degree angle is commonly used for subcutaneous injections which go into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. This angle ensures that the medication is delivered into the correct layer of tissue, allowing for slow absorption. However, when administering an IM injection, a 45-degree angle would not be deep enough to reach the muscle and could result in improper placement, potentially affecting the medication's effectiveness and increasing the risk of irritation at the injection site.

C) 15 degrees: A 15-degree angle is far too shallow for an intramuscular injection and is typically used for intradermal injections, where the medication is injected just beneath the skin into the dermal layer. Using such a shallow angle for an IM injection would likely cause the needle to remain in the subcutaneous tissue, preventing the medication from reaching the muscle layer and significantly reducing its effectiveness.

D) 60 degrees: A 60-degree angle is too steep for intramuscular injections. At this angle, the needle may not effectively reach the muscle tissue and could cause the medication to be injected too superficially into the subcutaneous layer. This would not allow for proper absorption of the drug and may lead to irritation or a delayed therapeutic effect.

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The nurse has identified several diagnoses for a client in the hospital. Which problems should the nurse identify as having highest priority?

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Explanation

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