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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The correct answer is choice D. Serum bilirubin.The nurse should monitor the client’s serum bilirubin level closely because acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, can cause hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure in cases of overdose.

Serum bilirubin is a marker of liver function and damage.

A high level of serum bilirubin indicates jaundice, a sign of liver injury.

Choice A is wrong because serum creatinine is a marker of kidney function and damage.Acetaminophen has limited nephrotoxicity compared to NSAIDs.

Choice B is wrong because serum potassium is not directly affected by acetaminophen.

Serum potassium is an electrolyte that reflects fluid and acid-base balance in the body.

Choice C is wrong because serum albumin is a protein that is synthesized by the liver.

Although serum albumin may be low in chronic liver disease, it is not a sensitive indicator of acute liver injury caused by acetaminophen overdose.

Normal ranges for serum bilirubin are 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL for adults and 1 to 12 mg/dL for newborns.

Normal ranges for serum creatinine are 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men and 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women.

Normal ranges for serum potassium are 3.5 to 5 mEq/L for adults and children.

Normal ranges for serum albumin are 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL for adults and children.

A. Avoid driving while taking this medication B. Take this medication on an empty stomach C. Increase intake of foods rich in vitamin K D. Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid retention.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. Avoid driving while taking this medication.The nurse should instruct the client to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Vicodin) because these medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired mental function.The nurse should also warn the client about the risk of addiction, overdose, and death from misuse of this medication.

Choice B is wrong because taking this medication on an empty stomach can increase the risk of nausea and vomiting.The nurse should advise the client to take this medication with food or milk to prevent stomach upset.

Choice C is wrong because increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamin K is not relevant to taking acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Vicodin).Vitamin K is involved in blood clotting and may interact with some anticoagulant medications, but not with this medication.

Choice D is wrong because limiting fluid intake to prevent fluid retention is not necessary for a client taking acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Vicodin).This medication does not cause fluid retention or edema.The nurse should encourage the client to drink plenty of fluids to prevent constipation, which is a common side effect of opioid medications.

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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.)

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic, for mild pain. Which laboratory test result should the nurse monitor closely in this client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a prescription for acetaminophen and hydrocodone (Vicodin).Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A nurse is educating a patient who has been prescribed aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

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A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has difficulty communicating verbally due to aphasia following a stroke. Which of the following strategies should the nurse use to assess this client’s pain? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed fentanyl patches for chronic cancer pain management at home. Which statement by the patient indicates that he understands how to use this medication safely?

A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic hepatitis C and reports taking acetaminophen daily for headaches.The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

A nurse is teaching a client who has chronic pain about nonpharmacological pain management techniques. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.).

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.)