A hospice nurse is caring for a patient who has terminal cancer and is receiving hospice care for stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
The patient experiences excruciating pain and is scheduled for morphine 10mg IM every 6 hours. The patient is sleeping, and the medication is due.
What action should the nurse take?
Hold the pain medication until the patient wakes up.
The patient should be given the scheduled pain medication.
Call the family and ask if the patient would like to be woken up to have their pain medication.
The patient has become addicted to the medication and is sleeping the last dose off.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Holding the pain medication until the patient wakes up is not the best choice. Pain can disrupt sleep, and it’s important to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. If the patient is sleeping, it may be because the pain is well-controlled, and delaying the medication could lead to a return of pain.
Choice B rationale
The patient should be given the scheduled pain medication. This is the best choice because it ensures that the patient’s pain is managed effectively. Even if the patient is sleeping, the medication should be given to prevent the pain from returning.
Choice C rationale
Calling the family and asking if the patient would like to be woken up to have their pain medication is not the best choice. The nurse should make this decision based on the patient’s pain level and the medication schedule, not on the family’s preferences.
Choice D rationale
The statement that the patient has become addicted to the medication and is sleeping the last dose off is not accurate. Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences. In this case, the patient is receiving the medication for a legitimate medical reason, and there is no indication of addiction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are not typically the first line of treatment for glaucoma. They work by decreasing the production of eye fluid, but they are usually used when other treatments have not been successful. Choice B rationale
Prostaglandin analogs, such as latanoprost and travoprost, are often the first line of treatment for glaucoma. They work by increasing the outflow of eye fluid to lower pressure in the eye.
Choice C rationale
Alpha-agonists are not typically the first line of treatment for glaucoma. They work by both decreasing the production of eye fluid and increasing its outflow, but they are usually used when other treatments have not been successful.
Choice D rationale
Beta-blockers, like timolol, are sometimes used as initial treatment for glaucoma, but they are not typically the preferred initial medication. They work by reducing the production of eye fluid.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Locking the wheels on the patient’s bed is a safety measure that should be taken to prevent the bed from moving during the transfer.
Choice B rationale
Positioning the chair at a 90-degree angle to the bed could make the transfer more difficult. It’s usually recommended to position the chair parallel to the bed.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the patient’s bed isn’t typically necessary for a transfer and could potentially make the transfer more difficult.
Choice D rationale
Placing the chair on the patient’s left side, the side of the patient’s weakness, could make the transfer more difficult. It’s usually recommended to lead with the patient’s stronger side.
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