A client with lung cancer who wears a subcutaneous morphine sulfate patch for pain is short of breath and is difficult to arouse. When performing a head to toe assessment, the nurse discovers four analgesic patches on the client's body. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Measure the client's blood pressure.
Remove all of the morphine patches.
Apply oxygen per face mask.
Administer a narcotic antagonist.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Measure the client's blood pressure:
While monitoring blood pressure is an important aspect of assessing a client's overall condition, it is not the immediate priority in a suspected opioid overdose. Respiratory depression and difficulty in arousing are more critical concerns that warrant prompt intervention with naloxone.
B. Remove all of the morphine patches:
While eventually, the nurse will need to address the presence of multiple morphine patches, removing them is not the first action. Administering naloxone to reverse the opioid effects takes precedence over patch removal.
C. Apply oxygen per face mask:
While providing oxygen may be necessary to support respiratory function, it doesn't address the underlying cause of the respiratory distress, which is likely opioid toxicity. Administering naloxone is the more direct and immediate intervention to counteract the effects of the opioids.
D. Administer a narcotic antagonist:
This is the correct and immediate priority. If the client is difficult to arouse and has multiple morphine patches, it raises concerns about opioid toxicity. Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose, particularly respiratory depression, and is crucial in this scenario to restore normal respiratory function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Instruct the client to drink plenty of fluids during the treatment.
This option focuses on hydration, which is generally important during chemotherapy to flush out toxins and maintain overall health. However, it does not specifically address the risk of vesicant extravasation.
B. Keep the head of the bed elevated until the treatment is completed.
Keeping the head of the bed elevated is a measure that may be taken for certain conditions or treatments, but it is not directly related to preventing vesicant extravasation.
C. Monitor the client's intravenous site hourly during the treatment.
This is the correct choice. Monitoring the intravenous site for signs of extravasation, such as swelling, redness, or pain, is crucial when administering vesicant chemotherapy drugs. Early detection allows for prompt intervention to minimize potential tissue damage.
D. Administer an antiemetic before starting the chemotherapy.
Administering an antiemetic (a medication to prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting) is important for managing side effects of chemotherapy, but it does not specifically address the prevention of vesicant extravasation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds.
Hyperactive bowel sounds are more suggestive of gastrointestinal issues, such as intestinal hypermotility or increased peristalsis. While diabetes can affect the gastrointestinal system, hyperactive bowel sounds are not a specific indicator of the symptoms described by the client.
B. Anxiety and sighing.
Anxiety and sighing are more indicative of emotional or psychological factors rather than dehydration. While stress can impact blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes, anxiety and sighing are not direct signs of the dehydration that may be associated with the reported symptoms.
C. Dark yellow urine.
Dark yellow urine can be a sign of concentrated urine, suggesting dehydration. In diabetes, especially when blood sugar levels are elevated, increased urine production (polyuria) can lead to dehydration. Dark yellow urine may indicate that the urine is more concentrated due to a lack of fluid intake.
D. Myalgia in wrists and hands.
Myalgia in the wrists and hands is not a typical symptom of dehydration related to diabetes. It could be associated with various conditions, such as musculoskeletal issues or nerve-related problems. This symptom is less likely to be directly linked to the reported weakness and palpitations.
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