A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving morphine through a PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia) device. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Encourage family members to press the PCA button for the client.

Monitor the client's respiratory status every 4 hours.

Teach the client how to self-medicate using the PCA device.

Administer an oral opioid for breakthrough pain.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Encouraging family members to press the PCA button for the client is not recommended. The PCA device is designed to be used by the patient to manage their own pain. Allowing someone other than the patient to administer the medication can lead to over-sedation or respiratory depression. The patient must have control over the PCA device to ensure that they are receiving the medication based on their pain level and not someone else's perception of their pain.

Choice B reason: Monitoring the client's respiratory status every 4 hours is important but may not be sufficient for a patient receiving morphine via a PCA device. According to clinical guidelines, respiratory rate, sedation, and pain scores must be recorded more frequently after the initiation of PCA therapy—typically every 15 minutes for the first hour, then every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours, and hourly until 24 hours post-operation. This is to ensure early detection of any adverse effects such as respiratory depression, which is a risk with opioid administration.

Choice C reason: Teaching the client how to self-medicate using the PCA device is the correct action. Patient education is crucial for the effective use of PCA. The patient should be instructed on how to use the device, including when to press the button and the importance of only the patient controlling the button. This empowers the patient to manage their pain effectively and safely, ensuring that they receive the medication when needed and reducing the risk of over-sedation or under-medication.

Choice D reason: Administering an oral opioid for breakthrough pain may be necessary if the PCA does not adequately control the patient's pain. However, this should be done cautiously and typically under the guidance of a pain management team or physician. Breakthrough pain medication is usually reserved for instances where the PCA is not providing sufficient pain relief, and the patient's pain is assessed to be higher than what can be managed by the PCA alone.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. While there are risks associated with any surgery, thyroidectomy is not typically associated with fat embolism syndrome (FES). FES is more commonly linked to orthopedic procedures and trauma, particularly those involving long bones.

Choice B reason: Internal fixation of a fractured hip is a procedure that carries a risk for developing FES. FES is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when fat globules enter the bloodstream and lodge within the blood vessels of the lungs or other organs. Hip fractures, especially those involving the long bones, can result in the release of fat globules into the bloodstream during the surgical repair process. Early surgical fixation is thought to reduce the risk of FES.

Choice C reason: Repair of a torn rotator cuff involves the shoulder joint and, while it is a significant surgical procedure, it is not typically associated with a high risk of FES. The rotator cuff is composed of muscles and tendons, and its repair does not usually involve manipulation of the long bones where fat embolism is more likely to occur.

Choice D reason: Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair a hole in the eardrum. It is an otologic procedure that does not involve the long bones or orthopedic manipulation. Therefore, it is not associated with a risk of developing FES.

A. Aspirate the catheter to check for a brisk blood return. B. Use sterile technique for the procedure. C. Cleanse the insertion site with hydrogen peroxide. D. Flush the TPN port with 20 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Aspirating the catheter to check for a brisk blood return is not typically recommended as a routine action when replacing the dressing of a PICC line used for TPN. This action is performed to verify patency and placement of the catheter, but it is not directly related to the dressing change procedure.

Choice B reason: Using sterile technique for the procedure is essential when replacing the dressing of a PICC line. Maintaining sterility is crucial to prevent infection, as the PICC line provides direct access to the central venous system. The nurse should use sterile gloves and follow aseptic protocols to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens at the catheter insertion site.

Choice C reason: Cleansing the insertion site with hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for PICC line care. Hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to the tissue and may delay healing. Instead, a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic is typically used to clean the skin around the insertion site during dressing changes to reduce microbial flora and prevent infection.

Choice D reason: Flushing the TPN port with 20 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride is a practice used to maintain catheter patency, but it is not part of the dressing change procedure. Flushing is usually done before and after administering medication or nutrition, not specifically during a dressing change.

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