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 A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. The client reports a pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.This indicates that the PCA pump is effective in reducing the client’s pain, which is the primary symptom of sickle cell crisis.

Choice B is wrong because a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute is normal and does not indicate the effectiveness of the PCA pump.

Choice C is wrong because a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is high and may indicate hypertension, which is a complication of sickle cell disease.

Choice D is wrong because a pulse oximetry reading of 95% is normal and does not indicate the effectiveness of the PCA pump.

Normal ranges for vital signs are:

• Respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths per minute

• Blood pressure: <120/80 mm Hg

• Pulse oximetry: >95%

A. Assess the client’s respiratory rate. B. Check the client’s allergy history. C. Review the client’s medication record. D. Verify the dosage with another nurse.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The correct answer is choice B. Check the client’s allergy history.

This is because morphine sulfate is a medication that can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, such as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

Therefore, the nurse should always check the client’s allergy history before administering any medication, especially opioids.

Choice A is wrong because assessing the client’s respiratory rate is not the first action the nurse should take.

Although morphine sulfate can cause respiratory depression, which is a serious side effect that needs to be monitored, the nurse should first ensure that the client is not allergic to the medication.

Choice C is wrong because reviewing the client’s medication record is not the first action the nurse should take.

Although morphine sulfate can interact with other medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, or alcohol, which can increase the risk of respiratory depression or overdose, the nurse should first ensure that the client is not allergic to the medication.

Choice D is wrong because verifying the dosage with another nurse is not the first action the nurse should take.

Although morphine sulfate is a high-alert medication that requires double-checking to prevent medication errors, the nurse should first ensure that the client is not allergic to the medication.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate, an opioid analgesic, to a client who reports pain at level 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is B

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 patient who is addicted to heroin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of an infection. The patient is prescribed methadone (Dolophine) as part of a detoxification program. What is the rationale for using methadone in this patient?

(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 caring for an older adult client who has difficulty communicating verbally due to aphasia following a stroke. Which of the following strategies should the nurse use to assess this client’s pain? (Select all that apply.)

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.

A patient with cancer-related bone pain is receiving etidronate as an adjuvant analgesic. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following laboratory values?

Which component of pain assessment is addressed by asking a client to rate his or her current level of discomfort on a scale of 0-10?