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","C","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, C and E. These statements indicate that the client understands the teaching about nonpharmacological pain management techniques.
• Choice A is correct becausemeditationcan help the client relax and cope with pain by reducing stress and anxiety.
• Choice C is correct becausedistractioncan help the client divert attention from pain by engaging in enjoyable or stimulating activities.
• Choice E is correct becauseheatcan help the client soothe the painful area by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles.
• Choice B is wrong becausecold packsshould not be applied to the painful area for more than15 minutesat a time, as they can cause tissue damage or frostbite.
• Choice D is wrong becausemassageshould not be done with firm pressure, as it can aggravate the pain or cause injury.Gentle massage may be beneficial for some clients.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, B, D, and E.Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that hasantiemeticandsedativeeffects that are thought to be mediated by its actions in the brain.It can alsodecrease anxietyrelated to pain by inhibiting the hypothalamic H-1 histamine receptors.Hydroxyzine may also have apotentiatingeffect on other analgesics, although the evidence for this is not conclusive.
Choice C is wrong because hydroxyzine does not have any anti-inflammatory properties.It is a competitive antagonist of histamine H1-receptors, not a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
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