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 C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Checking the client's blood pressure every 8 hours is important, but it is not as critical as monitoring urine output in the immediate postoperative period. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly, but changes in urine output can provide more immediate information about the new kidney's function.

Choice B reason: Monitoring for hypokalemia is important, as it can be a sign of acute rejection; however, hyperkalemia is more commonly associated with acute rejection due to the kidney's inability to excrete potassium. Therefore, while electrolyte monitoring is crucial, the focus is typically on hyperkalemia rather than hypokalemia.

Choice C reason: Assessing urine output hourly is essential for a client who has undergone a kidney transplant. Urine output is a direct indicator of the new kidney's function, and any significant decrease could indicate a complication such as acute rejection or obstruction.

Choice D reason: Administering opioids orally for pain management is part of postoperative care, but it is not the priority over monitoring urine output and kidney function.

A. Uric acid B. Intrinsic factor C. Chloride level D. Creatinine kinase

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason : Uric acid levels are expected to be increased in a client with acute gout. Gout is associated with hyperuricemia, where serum or plasma urate concentrations exceed 6.8 mg/dL. This elevation in uric acid can lead to the formation of monosodium urate crystals in joints, causing the characteristic painful inflammation of gout.

Choice B reason : Intrinsic factor is not related to gout. It is a protein produced by the stomach that is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12.

Choice C reason : Chloride levels are typically not affected in acute gout and are not a specific indicator for this condition.

Choice D reason : Creatinine kinase is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, skeletal muscle, and other tissues. Elevated levels may indicate muscle damage but are not a specific marker for gout.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

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