A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving morphine via continuous epidural infusion. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
Pruritus
Gastric bleeding
Tachypnea
Cough
The Correct Answer is A
A. Pruritus, which is itching, is a common adverse effect associated with the use of opioids, including morphine. Itching can occur when opioids are administered through various routes, including epidural infusion. The exact mechanism for opioid-induced itching is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the release of histamines or other chemical mediators.
B. Gastric bleeding is not a common adverse effect of epidurally administered opioids like morphine. Gastric bleeding is more associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain other medications.
C & D. Tachypnea (rapid breathing) and cough are not typical adverse effects of epidurally administered opioids. However, opioids can cause respiratory depression (slow and shallow breathing), so monitoring respiratory status is important when using these medications.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Notify your provider if you develop a fever while taking this medication."
Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia. One of the potentially serious side effects of clozapine is agranulocytosis, which is a significant drop in white blood cell count. This can lead to an increased risk of infection. If the client develops a fever, it could be an early sign of an infection due to the lowered white blood cell count, so it's important for them to notify their provider promptly.
B. "Ringing in the ears is an expected adverse effect of this medication." - Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is not a commonly reported adverse effect of clozapine.
C. "You might experience weight loss while taking this medication." - Weight gain is actually more commonly associated with clozapine use, rather than weight loss.
D. "Diarrhea is a common adverse effect of this medication." - While gastrointestinal disturbances can occur as side effects of antipsychotic medications, diarrhea is not specifically known as a common adverse effect of clozapine.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The client has a negative sputum culture.
When a client with tuberculosis is adhering to the prescribed medication regimen, their sputum cultures should show a decrease in the number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. This indicates that the medication is effectively treating the infection. It's important for clients with tuberculosis to complete their full course of treatment to prevent drug-resistant strains of the bacteria from developing.
B. The client tests negative for HIV: This relates to a different infection (HIV) and doesn't necessarily reflect adherence to the tuberculosis medication regimen.
C. The client's liver function test results are within the expected reference range: While liver function tests are important to monitor due to potential medication side effects, they don't directly indicate medication adherence.
D. The client has a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) test: A positive PPD test indicates exposure to the tuberculosis bacteria in the past but does not reflect current adherence to treatment.
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