You are the PACU nurse that is caring for a client who has been receiving frequent doses of IV Morphine Sulfate, and opioid pain medication, for post-operative pain. Upon reassessment of the patient you find them unarousable with a decreased level of consciousness, snoring respirations at 10 breaths per minute, and an oxygen saturation of 89%. What should be your first intervention?
Administer oxygen at 4 liters per minute via nasal cannula
Administer Naloxone via IV push
Open the patient's airway with a head tilt.
Place them in the shock position with legs elevated
The Correct Answer is B
A. Administering oxygen is important, but the priority is reversing the opioid-induced respiratory depression with naloxone. Oxygen alone will not address the underlying cause of the decreased level of consciousness.
B. Administering naloxone (Narcan) is the priority intervention because it is an opioid antagonist that will reverse the effects of morphine and other opioids, improving respiratory function and consciousness.
C. Opening the airway is important, but the primary issue here is opioid overdose, which requires naloxone administration for reversal of respiratory depression.
D. Placing the patient in the shock position is not indicated in this scenario. The focus should be on reversing opioid toxicity, not on positioning for shock.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["44"]
Explanation
Calculate the flow rate in mL/hour: 400 mL / 3 hours = 133.33 mL/hour (approximately)
Convert the flow rate to mL/minute: 133.33 mL/hour / 60 minutes/hour = 2.22 mL/minute (approximately)
Calculate the drops per minute: 2.22 mL/minute 20 gtt/mL = 44.4 gtt/minute
Round to the nearest whole number: 44 gtt/minute
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Ensuring an incentive spirometer is available is important for postoperative care to prevent atelectasis, but it is not the priority immediately before surgery.
B. Preoperative teaching is valuable but should ideally be completed earlier in the care process. Last-minute teaching may overwhelm the patient or delay critical interventions.
C. Reporting allergies is essential, but if the allergy to sardines does not pertain to the current surgical plan or medications, it is not the immediate priority in this situation.
D. Administering the preoperative intravenous antibiotic is the top priority because it helps reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Timing of preoperative antibiotics is critical to their effectiveness.
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