A nurse is assessing a client who has a brain tumor and is receiving palliative care. Which of the following findings indicates the nurse should administer pain medication?
Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Mottled skin
Constricted pupils
Grimacing
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Cheyne-Stokes respirations, alternating hyperventilation and apnea, indicate neurological dysfunction or end-of-life changes in brain tumor patients, not pain. This reflects brainstem involvement, requiring respiratory management rather than analgesics, as it is a physiological response to disease progression in palliative care.
Choice B reason: Mottled skin signals poor perfusion or impending death, common in palliative care as circulation declines. It is not a pain indicator but a sign of systemic shutdown, requiring comfort measures like warmth, not analgesics, which are irrelevant to this physiological change in terminal illness.
Choice C reason: Constricted pupils may reflect opioid effects or neurological changes in brain tumor patients but do not directly indicate pain. They suggest autonomic or brainstem dysfunction, necessitating neurological assessment, not immediate pain medication, in palliative care where comfort is prioritized based on clear pain cues.
Choice D reason: Grimacing indicates pain in palliative care patients with brain tumors, reflecting physical discomfort. As a facial expression of distress, it signals the need for analgesics to improve comfort and quality of life, aligning with palliative goals to manage pain effectively in end-stage disease.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A pain level of 1 on a 0-10 scale indicates well-controlled pain, which does not directly impair wound healing. Adequate pain management supports mobility and recovery, reducing stress responses that could delay healing. This finding is not a risk factor for delayed wound healing in post-surgical clients.
Choice B reason: An oxygen saturation of 92% on room air is slightly low but not critically hypoxic. Wound healing requires adequate oxygenation, but levels above 90% are generally sufficient for tissue repair. This finding alone does not significantly indicate a risk for delayed wound healing compared to nutritional deficits.
Choice C reason: An albumin level of 2.5 g/dL (normal: 3.5-5.0 g/dL) indicates malnutrition, a major risk for delayed wound healing. Albumin is essential for tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Low levels impair fibroblast activity and wound strength, increasing infection risk and slowing recovery in post-surgical clients.
Choice D reason: A body mass index of 22 is within the normal range (18.5-24.9) and does not indicate malnutrition or obesity, both of which can impair wound healing. Normal BMI supports adequate nutritional status for tissue repair, making this finding not a risk factor for delayed wound healing.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Asking parents to wait outside may increase the preschooler’s anxiety, as parental presence provides comfort. Unless clinically necessary, excluding parents is not ideal, so this action is inappropriate for preparing the child, making it incorrect.
Choice B reason: Teaching deep-breathing to a preschooler is challenging due to their developmental stage, and it may not effectively reduce anxiety for a dressing change. Simpler reassurance is more suitable, so this is less effective, making it incorrect.
Choice C reason: Explaining the procedure in simple terms helps the preschooler understand what to expect, reducing fear and promoting cooperation. This developmentally appropriate approach aligns with pediatric care principles, making it the correct action for preparation.
Choice D reason: Limiting teaching to 20 minutes is impractical for a preschooler, whose attention span is short. Brief, simple explanations are more effective, and prolonged sessions may overwhelm the child, so this is incorrect for preparing them.
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