One hour after arriving on the postoperative unit, a woman who received spinal anesthesia 5 hours ago is complaining of severe abdominal incisional pain. Her vital signs are: temperature 99° F (37.2° C), heart rate 110 beats/minute, respiratory rate 30 breaths/minute and blood pressure 160/90 mmHg. The client's skin is pale, and the surgical dressing is dry and Intact. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to Implement?

Provide pillow for splinting.

Assess the IV site for patency.

Place in a high Fowler position.

Administer an IV analgesic.

None

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is Choice D

Choice A rationale: Splinting with a pillow may reduce discomfort during movement or coughing by stabilizing the incision site, but it does not address acute postoperative pain with sympathetic overdrive. The elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure suggest a stress response mediated by catecholamines. Without analgesia, nociceptive signals continue to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. While splinting is supportive, it lacks the pharmacologic efficacy needed to blunt nociceptive transmission at the spinal or supraspinal level.

Choice B rationale: Assessing IV patency is a procedural prerequisite for medication administration but not a therapeutic intervention in itself. It does not directly address the pathophysiology of acute pain or the sympathetic surge evidenced by tachycardia and hypertension. Pain activates ascending pathways via A-delta and C fibers, requiring pharmacologic blockade. IV access assessment is necessary but secondary to the urgent need for analgesia to prevent complications like hypoxia, hyperventilation, or delayed recovery.

Choice C rationale: High Fowler positioning may improve diaphragmatic excursion and reduce pulmonary complications, but it does not mitigate visceral or incisional pain. In fact, increased intra-abdominal pressure from upright posture may exacerbate pain at the surgical site. Pain perception involves central sensitization and peripheral nociceptor activation, which are unaffected by positioning. The client’s pale skin and elevated vitals indicate systemic distress requiring analgesic intervention, not postural adjustment. Thus, this choice lacks direct analgesic benefit.

Choice D rationale: IV analgesics act rapidly to inhibit nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord and brainstem levels. Opioids bind to mu receptors, reducing neurotransmitter release and hyperpolarizing neurons, thereby dampening pain signals. This intervention directly targets the physiologic cause of elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Normal heart rate is 60–100 bpm, respiratory rate 12–20 breaths/min, and BP <120/80 mmHg. Prompt analgesia prevents complications like hypoxia, delayed healing, and neuroendocrine stress

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A.Tingling on the tongue or lips is an early sign of an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used during an intravenous pyelogram. This type of reaction can quickly progress to more severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis, so it is crucial to recognize and respond to it promptly.

B. Episodes of shivering: Shivering is not typically an early sign of an allergic reaction to contrast dye. It might indicate a reaction to temperature or anxiety but is not as immediately concerning as symptoms of an allergic reaction.

C. Salty taste in the mouth: A salty or metallic taste is a common and benign side effect of the contrast dye and is not indicative of an adverse reaction.

D. Difficulty breathing: Difficulty breathing is a severe and later sign of an allergic reaction. By the time this symptom appears, the reaction has progressed and immediate intervention is necessary.

A. Sloughing tissue around wound edges. B. Change in the quality of the peripheral pulses. C. Weeping serosanguineous fluid from wounds. D. Loss of sensation to the left lower extremity. E. Complaint of increased pain and pressure.

Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]

Explanation

These findings suggest potential complications and compromise to the client's circulation and nerve function, which require immediate attention.

Changes in the quality of peripheral pulses indicate alterations in blood flow and may suggest vascular compromise or decreased perfusion to the affected areas. This finding requires immediate intervention to prevent further damage and ensure adequate blood supply to the extremities.

Loss of sensation to the left lower extremity can be indicative of nerve injury or impaired peripheral nerve function. It is important to assess for nerve damage and address it promptly to prevent complications and maximize the client's recovery.

Complaints of increased pain and pressure are concerning because they may indicate the development of compartment syndrome, a serious complication in which pressure within the muscles and tissues builds up to dangerous levels. Prompt intervention is necessary to relieve the pressure and prevent tissue damage.

While sloughing tissue around wound edges and weeping serosanguineous fluid from wounds are important assessment findings in the context of burn care, they do not require immediate intervention compared to the findings mentioned above. These findings should still be addressed and managed appropriately, but they are not considered immediate emergencies.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

An adult client is admitted for severe pain in his side and back and is sent for an intravenous pyelogram. Which report from the client is the earliest indication to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse reaction to this procedure?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

When caring for a client with full-thickness burns to both lower extremities, which assessment finding(s) warrant immediate intervention by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]

Explanation

The nurse is managing the care of a client with Cushing's syndrome. Which intervention(s) should the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)

The charge nurse is making assignments for one practical nurse (PN) and three registered nurses (RN) who are caring for neurologically compromised clients. Which client with which change in status is best to assign to the PN?

The nurse is preparing to send a client to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angioplasty. Which client report is most important for the nurse to explore further prior to the start of the procedure?

A client tells the nurse about jogging every day with the hope of losing weight and sleeping better. The client states that it takes hours to fall asleep at night and is experiencing fatigue and sleepiness throughout the day. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who reports a pounding headache. Which action should the nurse take?

The nurse is caring for a client with the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis. The client reports having had prior sexually transmitted infections. Which response should the nurse provide?

The nurse discovers that an older client with no history of cardiac or renal disease has an elevated serum magnesium level. To further investigate the cause of this electrolyte imbalance, what information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client's medical history?