Which nursing action had the highest priority when administering a dose of codeine with acetaminophen to a client?
Advice the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes.
Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic.
Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.
Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.
Choice A reason:
Advise the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes.
While it is important to inform the client about the onset of action of the medication, this is not the highest priority. Codeine, an opioid, can cause dizziness and sedation, which increases the risk of falls. Therefore, safety measures take precedence over informing the client about the medication’s onset time.
Choice B reason:
Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic.
Opioids like codeine can cause constipation, so administering a stool softener or laxative is a good practice. However, this action is not the highest priority when considering the immediate safety of the client. Ensuring the client’s safety from potential falls due to dizziness or sedation is more urgent.
Choice C reason:
Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.
This is the correct answer because codeine can cause dizziness, sedation, and orthostatic hypotension, increasing the risk of falls. Ensuring the client requests assistance when moving can prevent potential injuries, making it the highest priority nursing action.
Choice D reason:
Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.
While it is important for the client to communicate about the effectiveness of pain relief, this is not the highest priority. The immediate concern is the client’s safety due to the sedative effects of codeine. Therefore, preventing falls and injuries takes precedence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D"]
Explanation
The correct answer is:
a. Report any tendon pain or swelling to the healthcare provider immediately.
d. Limit exposure to sunlight and avoid tanning beds.
Choice A: Report any tendon pain or swelling to the healthcare provider immediately.
Ciprofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, can cause tendinitis and tendon rupture. This risk is higher in older adults, those on corticosteroid therapy, and those with kidney, heart, or lung transplants. Reporting any tendon pain or swelling immediately is crucial to prevent severe complications.
Choice B: Use NSAIDS to relieve mid joint aches and pains caused by the medication.
This is not recommended. Using NSAIDs with ciprofloxacin can increase the risk of central nervous system effects, including seizures. Therefore, it is not advised to use NSAIDs to relieve joint aches and pains caused by ciprofloxacin.
Choice C: Crush and mix the tablets with pudding if you have trouble swallowing the tablets.
Ciprofloxacin tablets should not be crushed. Crushing the tablets can affect the drug’s effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects. If swallowing is an issue, the healthcare provider should be consulted for alternative forms of the medication.
Choice D: Limit exposure to sunlight and avoid tanning beds.
Ciprofloxacin can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, leading to severe sunburns. Patients are advised to limit their exposure to sunlight and avoid tanning beds while taking this medication.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works by blocking the actions of aldosterone, a hormone that can lead to potassium loss in the urine. However, in some cases, spironolactone can cause hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood), which can be dangerous for patients with heart failure. Therefore, it is important to instruct the patient to limit their intake of high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, and salt substitutes containing potassium.
Option a (Replace salt with a salt substitute) is incorrect because salt substitutes often contain potassium, which can further increase the risk of hyperkalemia.
Option c (Cover your skin before going outside) is unrelated to the use of spironolactone and hyperkalemia.
Option d (Monitor skin for excessive bruising) is not directly related to the use of spironolactone and hyperkalemia, although it is a potential side effect of other medications used to treat heart failure.
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