A patient had abdominal surgery this morning. The patient is groggy but complaining of severe pain around the incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient?
The patient's respiratory rate
The appearance of the incision
The date of the patient's last bowel movement
The patient's pulse rate
The Correct Answer is A
A. The patient's respiratory rate: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that can cause
respiratory depression as a side effect. Therefore, assessing the patient's respiratory rate is crucial before administering the medication to ensure it is within normal limits.
B. The appearance of the incision: While assessing the incision is important for overall surgical site assessment, it's not directly related to the administration of morphine sulfate.
C. The date of the patient's last bowel movement: Bowel movements may be impacted by anesthesia and surgery, but they are not directly relevant to assessing the safety of administering morphine sulfate.
D. The patient's pulse rate: Pulse rate is important for overall assessment of the patient's
condition but may not directly indicate the need for or safety of administering morphine sulfate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The 21-year-old patient who has never had surgery before: While lack of previous surgery experience may contribute to anxiety, it doesn't inherently increase the risk of altered response to anesthesia.
B. The 40-year-old patient who is to have kidney stone removed: While the type of surgery may influence anesthesia considerations, being 40 years old alone doesn't significantly increase the risk of altered response to anesthesia.
C. The 82-year-old patient who is to have gallbladder removal: Advanced age is a significant risk factor for altered response to anesthesia due to age-related changes in physiology, metabolism, and drug clearance.
D. The 35-year-old patient who stopped smoking 8 years ago: While smoking history can impact anesthesia considerations, stopping smoking 8 years ago likely reduces the associated risks compared to current smokers.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Signs of bone marrow depression are not typically associated with antiepileptic drugs. This adverse effect is more commonly seen with medications such as chemotherapy agents.
B. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is a well-documented concern with antiepileptic drugs, particularly when used for psychiatric indications or in certain patient populations. The FDA has issued warnings regarding this risk, and healthcare providers should monitor patients for changes in mood, behavior, and suicidal ideation.
C. While some antiepileptic drugs may have cardiovascular effects, such as prolongation of the QT interval, the FDA warning specifically highlights the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors rather than cardiovascular events like strokes.
D. Indications of drug addiction and dependency are not typically associated with antiepileptic drugs. These medications are not central nervous system depressants and do not produce the euphoria or withdrawal symptoms characteristic of addictive substances.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.