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
None
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
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
A) Correct- Assessing the child's pulse helps determine their cardiac status and whether they have a detectable heartbeat. This information is essential for deciding the appropriate interventions.
B) Correct- Placing a cervical collar is necessary if there is any suspicion of cervical spine injury due to the fall or submersion. This action helps stabilize the neck and prevent further damage to the spine.
C) Correct- Checking for open wounds is important to assess for potential sources of bleeding or infection that may require immediate attention.
D) Incorrect- While child safety is important, the immediate priority in this situation is assessing and stabilizing the child's medical condition. Child protective services may be involved later if there are concerns about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
E) Correct- Assessing the airway is of utmost importance to ensure that the child can breathe. In cases of near-drowning, ensuring a clear airway is crucial for oxygenation.
F) Incorrect- While establishing intravenous access may be important for certain interventions, it is not one of the immediate priorities in this situation. Ensuring the child's airway, breathing, and circulation take precedence.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
It is important to assess the child's vital signs, including oxygen saturation (SaO2), to ensure their stability and identify any signs of respiratory distress or other abnormalities that may impact medication administration.
Prior to administering any medication, it is crucial to verify if the child has any known allergies to medications. This information is essential for ensuring the safety of the child and preventing any potential allergic reactions.
Before administering pain medication, the nurse must verify that the prescribed dosage is appropriate for the child's age, weight, and condition. Ensuring the correct dosage helps prevent medication errors and potential adverse effects.
It is important to use a validated pain assessment tool that is appropriate for the child's age and cognitive abilities. This allows for a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the child's pain level, helping guide appropriate pain management interventions.
Considering the child has cognitive and speech delays, the input from the parent regarding the child's pain is valuable. The nurse should assess and consider the parent's report of the child's pain in conjunction with other assessment findings to ensure effective pain management.
Subjective pain assessment is mentioned as a finding but may not require immediate action, as it needs to be combined with other assessment data for a comprehensive evaluation.
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