The nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a client with severe pain from renal colic.
Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse implement first?
Low sodium, high calorie diet.
Increase fluid intake of 3 to 4 L/day.
Tamsulosin (Flomax) 0.4 mg p.o. daily.
Morphine sulfate (Morphine) 2 mg IV every 4 hours PRN.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
A low sodium, high-calorie diet may improve overall health but does not address immediate severe pain from renal colic. Dietary modifications can have long-term benefits but are not first-line interventions for acute pain caused by kidney stones. Immediate pain relief is prioritized over dietary adjustments in this scenario.
Choice B rationale
Increasing fluid intake helps flush out kidney stones and prevent their formation. However, fluid intake does not provide immediate pain relief for renal colic. It is crucial in long-term management, but acute management prioritizes analgesics to address the client’s severe pain.
Choice C rationale
Tamsulosin relaxes the smooth muscles in the urinary tract, facilitating stone passage and reducing obstruction-related discomfort. While beneficial, it takes time to work and does not immediately relieve severe pain. It is not the first prescription to implement for acute pain management in renal colic.
Choice D rationale
Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that provides rapid relief for severe pain associated with renal colic. Administering morphine addresses the acute issue and allows for further interventions to manage the underlying cause. Pain control is the priority in renal colic cases with severe pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Teaching preventive measures is important for reducing recurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). These measures may include proper hydration, perineal hygiene, and urinating after intercourse. However, addressing preventive strategies is a long-term consideration and not the immediate priority for managing the active infection or preventing acute complications.
Choice B rationale
Preventing progression to complications is the priority in lower UTIs to avoid upper urinary tract involvement, such as pyelonephritis. This involves timely antibiotic administration and monitoring for signs like fever, flank pain, or worsening urinary symptoms. Pyelonephritis can lead to systemic complications like sepsis, making prevention critical to client safety.
Choice C rationale
Educating about treatment, such as the prescribed antibiotics and their potential side effects, ensures adherence and understanding. While valuable, it does not take precedence over immediate measures to halt disease progression or complications. Education supports long-term management but follows urgent clinical priorities.
Choice D rationale
Pain management is essential for comfort, addressing dysuria or pelvic pain associated with UTIs. Methods include analgesics like phenazopyridine. However, it is a supportive measure rather than a critical intervention for preventing complications, making it secondary to stopping the progression of the infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Constant erythema and warmth are more characteristic of venous insufficiency or inflammation, rather than peripheral artery disease. PAD is associated with reduced blood flow and tissue perfusion, leading to symptoms like pallor, coolness, and pain rather than persistent redness and warmth in affected areas.
Choice B rationale
Elevating the legs worsens ischemic pain in PAD by further reducing blood flow. Symptoms typically improve when the legs are in a dependent position due to gravity aiding perfusion. This is a key distinguishing feature in PAD compared to other vascular conditions like venous insufficiency.
Choice C rationale
Discomfort in the legs during exercise relieved by rest, known as intermittent claudication, is a hallmark of PAD. It occurs due to inadequate blood supply during increased activity. Rest restores perfusion and alleviates ischemic pain. This symptom reflects underlying arterial obstruction, a core pathophysiological feature of PAD.
Choice D rationale
Peripheral pulses in PAD are diminished or absent due to arterial obstruction. Bounding pulses in dependent positions suggest venous issues or high cardiac output, not arterial insufficiency. Accurate pulse assessment helps differentiate PAD from other vascular conditions. Normal pulse documentation is critical to diagnosis.
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