The practical nurse (PN) is administering an analgesic to a client with low back pain. To promote the effectiveness of the medication, which is the best intervention for the PN to implement?

Assist the client to perform active range of motion and back exercises.

Force fluids and progress diet to include milk products.

Reposition the client with proper alignment and massage the lower back.

Encourage the client to take deep breaths and to ambulate frequently.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Assist the client to perform active range of motion and back exercises: Active exercises can be beneficial in rehabilitation phases but may worsen pain if done too early or without proper pain control. Immediate strategies should focus on comfort and supporting medication effectiveness before promoting activity.
B. Force fluids and progress diet to include milk products: While hydration and nutrition are important for overall health, they do not directly enhance the immediate effectiveness of analgesics. This intervention is unrelated to managing or reducing the client's current low back pain.
C. Reposition the client with proper alignment and massage the lower back: Proper repositioning reduces strain on the spine, improves comfort, and enhances the action of analgesics. Gentle massage promotes circulation and relaxation, helping to amplify pain relief when combined with medication.
D. Encourage the client to take deep breaths and to ambulate frequently: Deep breathing and early ambulation are excellent for preventing complications like pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis especially in clients with decreased mobility due to pain but may not be appropriate as an initial intervention to maximize immediate pain relief from analgesics.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Apply lotion to sacrum: Applying lotion may help with general skin hydration but does not directly address pressure relief, which is the primary intervention needed to prevent worsening of a stage one pressure injury.
B. Use wet-to-dry dressings daily: Wet-to-dry dressings are used for wounds with necrotic tissue that need debridement. A stage one pressure injury involves intact skin without an open wound, so such dressings are not appropriate.
C. Elevate head of bed 30 degrees: Elevating the head of the bed slightly can reduce aspiration risk but also increases pressure on the sacrum if maintained for long periods. Position changes are more critical to relieve sacral pressure.
D. Change positions every 2 hours: Repositioning every two hours is essential to relieve pressure on the sacrum and promote circulation. This practice helps prevent progression of the pressure injury and is a cornerstone of effective pressure ulcer prevention.

A. Rectus abdominis. B. Rectus femoris. C. Gluteus medius. D. Gluteus maximus.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Rectus abdominis: The rectus abdominis is a muscle in the abdomen, not the thigh. It is not used for intramuscular injections, as it does not provide the necessary mass or safe anatomical location for such injections.
B. Rectus femoris: The rectus femoris is located in the mid anterior thigh and is a common site for intramuscular injections, especially when other sites are not ideal. It provides easy access, sufficient muscle mass, and fewer major nerves or blood vessels.
C. Gluteus medius: The gluteus medius is located in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, commonly used for dorsogluteal or ventrogluteal injections, not for injections into the anterior thigh.
D. Gluteus maximus: The gluteus maximus forms the bulk of the buttocks and is used for dorsogluteal injections. It is not located in the anterior thigh and is associated with greater risk of hitting major nerves like the sciatic nerve.

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The practical nurse (PN) is administering an analgesic to a client with low back pain. To promote the effectiveness of the medication, which is the best intervention for the PN to implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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