A nurse is caring for a male client who has a spinal cord injury.
Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when providing perineal care?

 

The correct answer is A. Increased pain.

Choice A reason: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that, when administered, reverses the effects of opioids. Since opioids provide analgesia, their reversal will lead to the return of pain sensation. The normal pain response varies widely among individuals and depends on the type and amount of opioid the patient received, as well as their pain threshold and tolerance.

Choice B reason: Somnolence, or drowsiness, is a common effect of opioid administration. Naloxone works by displacing opioids from their receptors, which should counteract the sedative effects of opioids and reduce somnolence. Therefore, after naloxone administration, the nurse should not expect somnolence as a finding.

Choice C reason: Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is not a direct effect of naloxone administration. While some studies suggest that naloxone may affect blood glucose levels under certain conditions, such as in the case of tramadol overdose, it does not typically cause hyperglycemia. Normal blood glucose levels range from 70 to 99 mg/dL fasting, and up to 140 mg/dL two hours after eating.

Choice D reason: Hypoventilation, or reduced breathing rate and depth, is caused by opioid administration. Naloxone’s role is to reverse this effect, restoring normal breathing rates. The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Answer is: c. Protect the IV bag from exposure to light.

Explanation: Nitroprusside degrades when exposed to light, so the nurse should protect the IV bag from light exposure to maintain the medication's potency and effectiveness in treating the client's severe hypertension.

Choice a. is wrong because calcium gluconate is used as an antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity. Although it may be kept on hand in some facilities, it is not directly related to the administration of nitroprusside.

Choice b. is wrong because attaching an inline filter is not necessary when administering nitroprusside. It is more relevant for medications that require filtration, such as certain chemotherapeutic agents.

Choice d. is wrong because monitoring blood pressure every 2 hours is not frequent enough for a client receiving nitroprusside. The nurse should monitor the client's blood pressure more frequently, such as every 5 to 15 minutes, depending on facility policies and the client's condition.