A patient who has chronic low back pain is prescribed oxycodone (OxyContin) for long-term use.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to prevent complications from this medication? (Select all that apply.)
Monitor the patient’s vital signs regularly.
Encourage fluid intake and high-fiber foods.
Advise the patient to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
Instruct the patient to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for breakthrough pain.
Teach the patient how to use a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.
Correct Answer : B,C
The correct answer is choice B and C. Oxycodone (OxyContin) is a potent opioid analgesic that can cause constipation, drowsiness, nausea, pruritus, and vomiting as common side effects.
To prevent constipation, the patient should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and eat high-fiber foods. To prevent respiratory depression and sedation, the patient should be advised to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants while taking oxycodone.
Choice A is wrong because monitoring vital signs regularly is not specific to oxycodone use, but rather a general nursing intervention for any patient with chronic pain.
Choice D is wrong because acetaminophen (Tylenol) can interact with oxycodone and increase the risk of liver damage.
The patient should not take any other pain medications without consulting the prescriber.
Choice E is wrong because a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump is not used for long-term pain management, but rather for acute or postoperative pain. Oxycodone (OxyContin) is formulated as an extended-release tablet that provides sustained pain relief for up to 12 hours.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, B, and C. These are all liver enzymes that can indicate hepatotoxicity (liver damage) from acetaminophen overdose.
The normal ranges for these enzymes are:
• AST: 10 to 40 U/L
• ALT: 7 to 56 U/L
• ALP: 45 to 115 U/L
Choice D and E are wrong because they are indicators of renal function, not liver function.
The normal ranges for these values are:
• BUN: 7 to 20 mg/dL
• Creatinine: 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Hepatic necrosis.Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common cause of drug-induced liver injury and can lead to hepatic necrosis, especially in patients who have chronic hepatitis C.APAP is metabolized by the liver and produces a toxic intermediate called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which can deplete glutathione and damage hepatocytes.Patients who have chronic hepatitis C may have reduced glutathione levels and increased oxidative stress, making them more susceptible to APAP toxicity.
Choice B. Pulmonary fibrosis is wrong because APAP does not cause pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease that involves scarring of the lung tissue and impaired gas exchange.Some drugs that can cause pulmonary fibrosis are amiodarone, bleomycin, methotrexate and nitrofurantoin.
Choice C. Pancreatitis is wrong because APAP does not cause pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can result from gallstones, alcohol abuse, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, infections, trauma or certain medications.
Some drugs that can cause pancreatitis are azathioprine, valproic acid, didanosine and pentamidine.
Choice D. Cardiac dysrhythmias is wrong because APAP does not cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
Cardiac dysrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can result from electrolyte imbalances, ischemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, congenital defects or certain medications.
Some drugs that can cause cardiac dysrhythmias are digoxin, quinidine, sotalol and erythromycin.
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