A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain in his left leg that he rates as an 8 on a scale from 0 to 10 and states that he feels tingling and numbness in his toes.

The patient has an order for morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus PRN every two hours for pain greater than 7, last administered three hours ago, and ibuprofen 400 mg PO PRN every four hours for pain less than or equal to 7, last administered six hours ago.

What action should the nurse take first?

Administer morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus.

Administer ibuprofen 400 mg PO.

Assess the patient’s leg for circulation, sensation, and movement.

Reassess the patient’s pain in 15 minutes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

The correct answer is choice C. Assess the patient’s leg for circulation, sensation, and movement.

This is because the patient’s symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness in his left leg could indicate a potential complication of impaired blood flow or nerve damage after surgery. The nurse should prioritize assessing the patient’s leg for any signs of compromised circulation, sensation, or movement before administering any pain medication.

Choice A is wrong because administering morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus without assessing the patient’s leg could mask the symptoms of a serious problem and delay appropriate interventions. Morphine sulfate is a potent opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression, sedation, and constipation.

Choice B is wrong because administering ibuprofen 400 mg PO without assessing the patient’s leg could also mask the symptoms of a serious problem and delay appropriate interventions. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, renal impairment, and increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Choice D is wrong because reassessing the patient’s pain in 15 minutes without assessing the patient’s leg could result in the worsening of the patient’s condition and increased risk of complications. The nurse should not delay assessing the patient’s leg for any signs of impaired circulation, sensation, or movement.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The correct answer is choice D) “Aspirin can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.”

This is because aspirin is a salicylate that works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation, but also prevents blood clots from forming in the arteries.This can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the stomach or gut.

Choice A) “Aspirin can be taken with alcohol.” is wrong because alcohol can also increase the risk of bleeding and interact with aspirin.

Choice B) “Aspirin can be taken on an empty stomach.” is wrong because aspirin can irritate the stomach lining and cause heartburn, nausea, or vomiting.It is better to take aspirin with food or water.

Choice C) “Aspirin can be taken with antacids.” is wrong because antacids can reduce the effectiveness of aspirin and interfere with its absorption.It is better to avoid taking antacids within two hours of taking aspirin.

A. Take the medication with food or milk B. Report any signs of bleeding or bruising C. Avoid taking other NSAIDs concurrently D. Discontinue the medication if tinnitus occurs E. Use enteric-coated tablets to reduce gastric irritation.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A, B, C and E.Aspirin is a medication that can prevent cardiovascular events by inhibiting platelet aggregation and reducing inflammation.

However, aspirin also has some side effects that the patient should be aware of and report to the doctor if they occur.

Choice A is correct because taking aspirin with food or milk can reduce the risk of stomach irritation and ulcers that aspirin can cause.

Choice B is correct because aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising due to its antiplatelet effect.The patient should monitor for signs of bleeding such as black, tarry stools, bloody or cloudy urine, vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, and unusual bleeding or bruising.

Choice C is correct because taking other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) concurrently with aspirin can increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding.

NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and others.

Choice D is wrong because tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a sign of aspirin toxicity and should not be ignored.The patient should stop taking aspirin and seek medical attention if they experience tinnitus, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, or seizures.

Choice E is correct because enteric-coated tablets can reduce the gastric irritation caused by aspirin by delaying its release until it reaches the small intestine.However, enteric-coated tablets may not be as effective as regular tablets in preventing cardiovascular events.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which statement made by a client taking aspirin indicates an understanding of its use?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is educating a patient who has been prescribed aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]

Explanation

The primary health care provider instructs the nurse to obtain the patient’s pain level every four hours. Which actions by the nurse help facilitate the pain assessment? Select all that apply.

A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic hepatitis C and reports taking acetaminophen daily for headaches.The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

A nurse is caring for a client who has a sickle cell crisis and is receiving morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Which assessment finding indicates that the PCA pump is effective?

A patient with chronic back pain is prescribed gabapentin as an adjuvant analgesic. The nurse should instruct the patient to report which of the following adverse effects?

A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic pain about nonpharmacological pain management techniques. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.).

(Select all that apply) A patient with postoperative pain is prescribed hydroxyzine as an adjuvant analgesic. The nurse should teach the patient about which of the following benefits of this medication.

A nurse is administering naloxone to a patient who has overdosed on heroin. What is the expected outcome of this intervention?

A nurse is caring for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis and has been prescribed ibuprofen (Advil). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.