On the second postoperative day, a client who had a colon resection is starting to eat and ambulate with assistance. Although the client has a prescription for an oral analgesic, they request that the PCA containing morphine be continued for one more day due to fear of pain. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
Measure urinary output to ensure renal functioning.
Administer the oral analgesic medication an hour before discontinuing the PCA pump.
Monitor for a depressed respiratory rate.
Teach about the need to progress to a high-fiber diet.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Measuring urinary output is important for monitoring renal function, especially when using medications like morphine, but it is not the most critical intervention in this context.
Choice B reason: Administering the oral analgesic before discontinuing the PCA allows for the medication to take effect, preventing breakthrough pain and addressing the client's fear of pain.
Choice C reason: Monitoring for a depressed respiratory rate is crucial when a patient is on morphine, but the priority is to manage pain effectively as the client transitions to oral analgesics.
Choice D reason: Education on dietary needs is important for long-term recovery, but immediate pain management is a higher priority in the postoperative period.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that responds well to antihistamines, which can alleviate symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching.
Choice B reason: Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear and is not typically treated with antihistamines.
Choice C reason: Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and is not treated with antihistamines.
Choice D reason: Bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes and is not primarily treated with antihistamines.
Choice E reason: Contact dermatitis, which is an allergic skin reaction, can be treated with antihistamines to relieve itching and rash.
Correct Answer is ["A","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is: A. Teach the client to use an incentive spirometer every 2 hours while awake and E. Remove the urinary catheter as soon as possible and encourage voiding.
Choice A reason:
Teaching the client to use an incentive spirometer every 2 hours while awake helps prevent postoperative pulmonary complications such as pneumonia. This intervention promotes lung expansion and clears secretions, reducing the risk of infection.
Choice B reason:
Administering low molecular weight heparin as prescribed is important for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, but it does not directly reduce the risk of infection.
Choice C reason:
Assessing the pain level and medicating as needed is crucial for patient comfort and mobility, but it does not directly address infection prevention. Effective pain management can indirectly support recovery by enabling better mobility and respiratory function.
Choice D reason:
Maintaining sequential compression devices while in bed is aimed at preventing DVT, not infections. These devices help improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Choice E reason:
Removing the urinary catheter as soon as possible and encouraging voiding reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Prompt removal of the catheter minimizes the duration of exposure to potential pathogens, thereby reducing infection risk.
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