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. Serum bilirubin.The nurse should monitor the client’s serum bilirubin level closely because acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, can cause hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure in cases of overdose.

Serum bilirubin is a marker of liver function and damage.

A high level of serum bilirubin indicates jaundice, a sign of liver injury.

Choice A is wrong because serum creatinine is a marker of kidney function and damage.Acetaminophen has limited nephrotoxicity compared to NSAIDs.

Choice B is wrong because serum potassium is not directly affected by acetaminophen.

Serum potassium is an electrolyte that reflects fluid and acid-base balance in the body.

Choice C is wrong because serum albumin is a protein that is synthesized by the liver.

Although serum albumin may be low in chronic liver disease, it is not a sensitive indicator of acute liver injury caused by acetaminophen overdose.

Normal ranges for serum bilirubin are 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL for adults and 1 to 12 mg/dL for newborns.

Normal ranges for serum creatinine are 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men and 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women.

Normal ranges for serum potassium are 3.5 to 5 mEq/L for adults and children.

Normal ranges for serum albumin are 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL for adults and children.

A. Take ibuprofen with food or milk to prevent gastric irritation. B. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day to prevent renal impairment. C. Avoid alcohol and other NSAIDs to prevent bleeding complications. D. Report any signs of hypersensitivity such as rash, itching, or wheezing. E. Monitor blood pressure and report any significant increase or decrease.

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

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A, B, C, and D.Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.It works by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are involved in inflammation, pain, and fever.However, ibuprofen can also cause adverse effects such as gastric irritation, bleeding complications, renal impairment, and hypersensitivity reactions.

Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client to:

• Take ibuprofen with food or milk to prevent gastric irritation.This will reduce the direct contact of the drug with the stomach lining and decrease the risk of ulcers and bleeding.

• Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day to prevent renal impairment.This will help maintain adequate hydration and renal perfusion and prevent the accumulation of ibuprofen in the kidneys.

• Avoid alcohol and other NSAIDs to prevent bleeding complications.Alcohol and other NSAIDs can increase the risk of gastric bleeding by interfering with the protective effects of prostaglandins on the stomach mucosa.

• Report any signs of hypersensitivity such as rash, itching, or wheezing.These may indicate an allergic reaction to ibuprofen that can be serious or life-threatening.

Choice E is wrong because ibuprofen does not affect blood pressure significantly.However, some other NSAIDs such as celecoxib may increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke.Therefore, clients with hypertension or cardiovascular disease should use NSAIDs with caution and monitor their blood pressure regularly.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, for mild pain. Which laboratory test result should the nurse monitor closely in this client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is educating a client about ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that has been prescribed for moderate pain and inflammation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.).

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

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who takes acetaminophen for osteoarthritis pain management.Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to possible hepatotoxicity? (Select all that apply.).

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 teaching a client who has cancer pain about the use of oral oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

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 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 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 client with osteoarthritis has been prescribed celecoxib (Celebrex). The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the following adverse effects immediately?

(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.