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

Answer and Explanation

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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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. A lithium level of 0.9 mEq/L falls within the therapeutic range for lithium, so it is not too low.

B. A lithium level of 0.9 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range for lithium maintenance therapy, which typically ranges from 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Therefore, it is considered therapeutic.
C. Lithium is commonly monitored with blood levels to ensure therapeutic efficacy and to prevent toxicity.
D. A lithium level of 0.9 mEq/L is not too high; it is within the therapeutic range.

A. Take the medication in the morning to prevent insomnia. B. Use cooling measures to decrease fever. C. Chew sugarless gum to moisten the mouth. D. Take an antacid to relieve nausea.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Take the medication in the morning to prevent insomnia: This instruction is not directly

related to minimizing anticholinergic effects; it's more about managing the timing of medication administration.
B. Use cooling measures to decrease fever: Anticholinergic effects do not typically cause fever, so this instruction is not relevant.
C. Chew sugarless gum to moisten the mouth: Anticholinergic medications can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), and chewing gum can stimulate saliva production, alleviating this side effect.
D. Take an antacid to relieve nausea: Anticholinergic effects can include nausea, but taking an antacid is not a specific strategy for managing this side effect.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient has been taking lithium for 1 year, and the most recent lithium level is 0.9 mEq/L. Which statement about the laboratory result is correct?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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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?