A nurse is preparing a patient for home care following cancer treatment.

He is discussing the use of the fentanyl patch.

Which of the following would be the most important instruction regarding safety?

Choice A rationale:

True. As people age, it is common for them to experience more frequent awakenings during the night. This is often due to changes in sleep patterns, such as a decreased ability to maintain deep sleep, which can result in waking up more easily. Additionally, older adults may nap more during the day, which can affect their nighttime sleep patterns.

Choice B rationale:

False. Giving older adults hypnotics to induce better sleep is not a recommended approach as it may have adverse effects, including dependency and increased risk of falls. The focus should be on understanding and addressing the underlying causes of sleep disturbances in older adults.

Choice C rationale:

False. While it is important to assess and address sleep concerns in older adults, there is no fixed requirement of needing at least 10 hours of sleep a day to prevent fatigue. Sleep needs can vary, and older adults may require less sleep than younger individuals.

Choice D rationale:

False. Older adults may nap more during the day, but reducing daytime napping is not a guaranteed solution to improve nighttime sleep. Sleep patterns can change with age, and individual variations in sleep needs and habits should be considered.

The correct answer is B. Responsibility.

Choice A rationale:

“Fairness.” Fairness involves treating all clients equally and without bias. While fairness is an important aspect of professionalism, it is not specifically demonstrated by evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication.

Choice B rationale:

“Responsibility.” Responsibility refers to the nurse’s duty to provide safe and effective care. By checking the client to evaluate the effectiveness of pain medication, the nurse is fulfilling their responsibility to monitor the client’s response to treatment and ensure their comfort and well-being.

Choice C rationale:

“Confidence.” Confidence involves the nurse’s self-assurance in their skills and knowledge. While confidence is important in nursing practice, it is not the primary component demonstrated in this scenario.

Choice D rationale:

“Advocacy.” Advocacy involves supporting and speaking up for the client’s needs and preferences. Although advocacy is a crucial part of nursing, the act of evaluating pain medication effectiveness is more directly related to the nurse’s responsibility to provide appropriate care.

By demonstrating responsibility, the nurse ensures that the client’s pain management is effective and that any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan are made.