The nurse notes that a patient has been receiving hydromorphone every six hours for four days. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to complete?

Observe for edema around the ankles.

Count the apical and radial pulses simultaneously.

Measure the patient’s capillary glucose level.

Auscultate the patient’s bowel sounds.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Rationale for Choice A:

Observing for edema around the ankles is a relevant assessment, but it's not the most crucial one in this context. Edema can be a sign of fluid retention, which is a potential side effect of hydromorphone. However, it's not the most immediate or dangerous concern associated with prolonged hydromorphone use.

Rationale for Choice B:

Counting the apical and radial pulses simultaneously is a technique used to assess for pulse deficits, which can indicate heart rhythm irregularities. While hydromorphone can potentially cause cardiac effects, it's not the most common or primary concern with its use. Other assessments take priority.

Rationale for Choice C:

Measuring the patient's capillary glucose level is important for patients with diabetes or those at risk for hyperglycemia. However, there's no direct link between hydromorphone use and blood glucose levels. This assessment isn't the most relevant in this specific scenario.

Rationale for Choice D:

Auscultating the patient's bowel sounds is the most important assessment for a patient who has been receiving hydromorphone for four days. Here's why:

Hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic that can significantly slow down gastrointestinal motility. This can lead to constipation, which, if severe, can progress to ileus (a complete lack of bowel movement).

Ileus is a serious complication that can cause abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and even bowel obstruction or perforation if left untreated.

Auscultating bowel sounds helps assess the patient's bowel activity and detect early signs of constipation or ileus. Normal bowel sounds are typically heard every 5-15 seconds. Decreased or absent bowel sounds can indicate decreased bowel activity.

Early identification of constipation or ileus allows for prompt intervention, such as increasing fluid and fiber intake, administering laxatives or stool softeners, and potentially discontinuing or adjusting the hydromorphone dosage. This can prevent the development of more serious complications.

Therefore, auscultating the patient's bowel sounds is the most important assessment for the nurse to complete in this case, as it directly addresses the most significant potential complication associated with prolonged hydromorphone use.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Rationale for Choice A:

Serum Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody results are not directly relevant to the diagnosis or management of acute pancreatitis. While H. pylori infection can cause gastritis and peptic ulcers, it is not a common cause of pancreatitis.

Urine output amounts are important to monitor in patients with pancreatitis to assess for dehydration and kidney function. However, they are not as specific to the diagnosis of pancreatitis as other findings.

Rationale for Choice B:

Reports of chronic constipation are not typically associated with acute pancreatitis.

Serum gastrin levels are used to diagnose conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is characterized by excessive acid production in the stomach. They are not relevant to the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Rationale for Choice C:

Severity of nausea and vomiting are key symptoms of pancreatitis. The severity of these symptoms can help to gauge the severity of the pancreatitis and guide treatment decisions.

Serum amylase results are a highly sensitive and specific marker for pancreatitis. Elevated levels of amylase in the blood strongly suggest the presence of pancreatitis.

Rationale for Choice D:

Presence of bowel sounds can be variable in patients with pancreatitis and are not always reliable indicators of the severity of the condition.

Degree of abdominal pain is a subjective symptom that can be difficult to assess accurately. While it is an important symptom of pancreatitis, it is not as objective as other findings such as serum amylase levels.

Therefore, the most valuable information to report to the healthcare provider in this case is the severity of nausea and vomiting and serum amylase results.

A. Instruct the client to avoid foods with gluten, such as wheat bread. B. Describe the use of an elimination diet to find trigger foods. C. Advise the client to limit foods that are high in calcium and iron. D. Explain that the need to restrict fluids is the primary limitation.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

While some individuals with Crohn's disease may find that avoiding gluten improves their symptoms, this is not a universal recommendation.

Gluten restriction is more often indicated for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

It's important to individualize dietary recommendations based on personal triggers and sensitivities.

Choice B rationale:

An elimination diet is a systematic approach to identifying foods that may trigger or worsen Crohn's disease symptoms.

It involves removing certain foods from the diet for a period of time, typically 2-4 weeks, and then gradually reintroducing them one at a time to observe any reactions.

This process can help individuals pinpoint specific foods that contribute to their symptoms and make informed dietary choices to manage their condition.

Choice C rationale:

There is no evidence to support a general restriction of calcium and iron in individuals with Crohn's disease.

In fact, these nutrients are essential for overall health and should be consumed in adequate amounts unless a specific deficiency or intolerance is identified.

Restriction of these nutrients could lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Choice D rationale:

Fluid restriction is not a primary dietary limitation for individuals with Crohn's disease.

Maintaining adequate hydration is crucial for overall health, especially during flares when fluid loss through diarrhea may be increased.

Restricting fluids could potentially lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

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The nurse notes that a patient has been receiving hydromorphone every six hours for four days. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to complete?

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease asks the nurse about dietary restrictions. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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