A patient with a deep partial thickness burn has been receiving hydromorphone through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for 1 week. The nurse caring for the patient during the previous shift reports that the patient wakes up frequently during the night reporting pain. What action by the nurse is appropriate?

Teach the patient to push the button every 10 minutes for an hour before going to sleep, even if the pain is minimal.

Request that the health care provider order a bolus dose of morphine to be given when the patient awakens with pain.

Consult with the health care provider about using a different treatment protocol to control the patient's pain.

Administer a dose of morphine every 1 to 2 hours from the PCA machine while the patient is sleeping.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

C. This option is appropriate as the current treatment protocol is not effectively managing the patient's pain. The nurse can collaborate with the healthcare provider to reassess the patient's pain management needs and explore alternative strategies or adjustments to the PCA regimen.

A. This approach may lead to overmedication and increase the risk of adverse effects such as respiratory depression or sedation.

B. Requesting a bolus dose when the patient awakens with pain could be a part of the solution, but it should be carefully evaluated within the context of the overall pain management plan.

D. Administering scheduled doses of morphine from the PCA machine without the patient's input or based solely on time intervals is not recommended.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Muscle spasms can occur in response to the hip fracture as the body attempts to protect the injured area. Spasms may cause pain and muscle rigidity in the affected hip.
B. Pallor refers to paleness of the skin. While hip fractures can result in various signs and symptoms such as pain, swelling, and bruising, hip pallor specifically is not typically associated with a hip fracture.
C. Leg abduction refers to moving the leg away from the midline of the body. In the case of a hip fracture, the affected leg may be held in adduction (closer to the midline) due to pain and muscle guarding.
D. Leg lengthening is not typically associated with a hip fracture. In fact, a hip fracture can often lead to apparent leg shortening due to displacement or angulation of the fractured bone.

A. Reorient the patient at frequent intervals. B. Monitor the patient's electrocardiogram. C. Keep the patient in a quiet and darkened room. D. Obtain a health history including prior drug use.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

B. Methamphetamine use can cause significant cardiovascular effects, including tachycardia, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Given the patient's presentation with an irregular heart rate and tachycardia, continuous cardiac monitoring through an ECG is essential to assess for any life-threatening arrhythmias or other cardiac complications.

A. Reorientation is important for patients who are disoriented, but in the case of a patient who has admitted to using methamphetamine and is exhibiting signs of agitation and tachycardia, the priority is to ensure the patient's safety and stabilize their condition.

C. While providing a calm environment is beneficial for patients who are agitated, it is not the most important action in this scenario.

D. Obtaining a comprehensive health history, including prior drug use, is important for understanding the patient's background and potential risk factors. However, in this acute situation where the patient is disoriented, agitated, and exhibiting signs of cardiovascular distress, the priority is to address the immediate medical needs and stabilize the patient's condition.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who has a hip fracture. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A disoriented and agitated patient comes to the emergency department and admits using methamphetamine. Vital signs are blood pressure 164/94 mm Hg. heart rate 136 beats/min and irregular, and respirations 32 breaths/min. Which action by the nurse is most important?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A patient who is receiving sustained-release morphine sulfate (MS Contin) every 12 hours for chronic pain experiences level 9 (0 to 10 scale) breakthrough pain and anxiety. Which action by the nurse is appropriate for treating this change in assessment?

The health care provider orders a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) machine to provide pain relief for a patient with acute surgical pain who has never received opioids before. Which nursing actions regarding opioid administration are appropriate at this time? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a fracture of the right tibia and a fiberglass cast. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client who is 1-day postoperative following total hip arthroplasty. It is 0830 and the client is schedule for physical therapy (PT) at 0900. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take?

Which of the following statements accurately describe the medication rights? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is teaching a client who has a fractured femur about fat emboli syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse include as a manifestation of a fat embolism?

A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for balanced skeletal traction with a Thomas splint for the treatment of a fractured femur. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement to prevent pressure points from developing around the edges of the splint?

A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has a fracture to achieve the outcome of functional healing. To assist in meeting this goal, which of the following nursing interventions is the highest priority?