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 D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Gurgling bowel sounds every 10 seconds are considered normal, as normoactive bowel sounds range from 5 to 30 sounds per minute. This finding indicates regular gastrointestinal activity and is not typically a cause for concern.

Choice B reason: A centrally located umbilical protrusion can be a normal finding, especially if it has been present since birth and is not associated with any other symptoms. However, if new or associated with pain or other symptoms, it could indicate a hernia or other pathology.

Choice C reason: Abdominal distention during breathing can be a normal finding, as the abdomen may distend slightly during deep breathing due to the movement of the diaphragm. However, if the distention is pronounced or associated with other symptoms, it may warrant further investigation.

Choice D reason: Rebound tenderness with palpation is a sign of peritoneal irritation and can be an indication of conditions such as appendicitis, which is a surgical emergency. This finding should be considered a priority as it may require immediate intervention.

A. Epithelialization at the site B. Severe pain at the site C. Edema at the site D. Blistering at the site

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Epithelialization at the site of a major full-thickness burn would not be expected 12 hours post-injury. Epithelialization is a later stage of wound healing where new skin cells form and cover the wound. In full-thickness burns, this process is significantly delayed and typically requires skin grafting for wound closure.

Choice B reason: Severe pain is not typically associated with full-thickness burns due to the destruction of nerve endings in the skin. However, there may be severe pain in the surrounding areas that have sustained less severe burns.

Choice C reason: Edema is a common and expected finding at the site of a major full-thickness burn 12 hours post-injury. The inflammatory response to the burn injury leads to increased vascular permeability and fluid shift from the intravascular to the interstitial space, resulting in edema.

Choice D reason: Blistering is characteristic of partial-thickness burns (second-degree burns) but not full-thickness burns (third-degree burns). In full-thickness burns, the skin is destroyed to the point where blisters do not form.

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