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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bupropion is primarily used as an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. It is not typically used for opioid withdrawal.
B. Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist commonly used in the management of opioid withdrawal. It helps to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and can be used as part of a long-term maintenance program for opioid dependence.
C. Disulfiram is used in the treatment of alcohol dependence by creating unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed. It is not indicated for opioid withdrawal.
D. Phenobarbital is a barbiturate with sedative and anticonvulsant properties. While it can be used to manage certain withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal, it is not typically used as a first-line treatment for opioid withdrawal.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Minimize the amount of fluid taken while on this drug: Increasing fluid intake is actually recommended to manage potential constipation, another common side effect of anticholinergic medications.
B. Discontinue the medication if adverse effects occur: Discontinuing medication without consulting a healthcare provider is not advisable. Patients should be educated to report any adverse effects to their healthcare provider for appropriate management.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach to enhance absorption: Benztropine is typically taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it on an empty stomach may increase the risk of nausea or stomach upset.
D. Use artificial saliva, sugarless gum, or hard candy to counteract dry mouth: Anticholinergic medications such as benztropine commonly cause dry mouth as a side effect. Stimulating saliva production with these measures can help alleviate dry mouth symptoms.
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