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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Glycosylated hemoglobin, also known as hemoglobin A1C, reflects the average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. It is a crucial indicator of long-term glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that the A1C level be checked at least two times a year in patients who are meeting treatment goals and have stable glycemic control. An A1C level below 7% is generally considered good control, and achieving this target can reduce microvascular complications of diabetes.
Choice B reason: Postprandial blood glucose levels indicate the amount of glucose in the blood after a meal. While it's an important measure, it reflects only the immediate response to food intake and does not provide information about long-term glycemic control.
Choice C reason: Fasting blood glucose levels measure the amount of glucose in the blood after an overnight fast. This test is used to detect diabetes or prediabetes but is less effective than the A1C test for monitoring long-term glycemic control.
Choice D reason: The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measures blood glucose levels before and two hours after consuming a glucose-rich drink. This test is primarily used for diagnosing diabetes and gestational diabetes, not for long-term monitoring.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is not typically associated with thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition that often presents with hypertensive crisis due to the excessive amount of thyroid hormones accelerating the body's metabolism.
Choice B reason: Increased temperature is a hallmark sign of thyroid storm. Patients experiencing a thyroid storm can have a high fever, with temperatures ranging from 104°F to 106°F. This is due to the hypermetabolic state induced by excessive thyroid hormones, which increases the body's heat production.
Choice C reason: Lethargy is not a common symptom of thyroid storm. Instead, patients may experience agitation, irritability, and anxiety due to the overstimulation of the nervous system by excessive thyroid hormones. Lethargy might be observed in hypothyroidism, which is the opposite condition.
Choice D reason: A decreased heart rate is not characteristic of thyroid storm. On the contrary, tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate, is a common symptom. The heart rate can exceed 140 beats per minute as the body's demand for oxygen increases due to the hypermetabolic state.
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