The nurse is caring for a client who is still experiencing light sedation after undergoing an emergency colectomy for bowel obstruction. Which postoperative pain intervention should the nurse implement first?

Provide the first medication prescribed for pain management.

Review medical records to obtain pain tolerance expectations.

Wait until the client is awake before providing pain management.

Attempt to obtain a self-report of pain level from the client.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Providing the first medication prescribed for pain management is the best intervention that the nurse can implement first, because it can prevent the escalation of pain and reduce the need for higher doses later. The nurse should follow the principles of pain management, such as administering analgesics before pain becomes severe, using a multimodal approach, and individualizing the plan of care.

Choice B reason: Reviewing medical records to obtain pain tolerance expectations is not a priority intervention that the nurse should implement first, because it may not reflect the current pain level or needs of the client. Pain tolerance is influenced by many factors, such as culture, age, gender, and previous experiences, and it may vary from person to person and from situation to situation.

Choice C reason: Waiting until the client is awake before providing pain management is not a recommended intervention that the nurse should implement first, because it can lead to inadequate pain relief and delayed recovery. The nurse should not assume that the client is not in pain because of sedation, but should use other indicators, such as vital signs, facial expressions, and body movements, to assess pain.

Choice D reason: Attempting to obtain a self-report of pain level from the client is not a feasible intervention that the nurse should implement first, because the client may not be able to respond due to sedation. The nurse should use a valid and reliable pain assessment tool that is appropriate for the client's condition, such as the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) or the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT), to measure pain.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Calculating gestation from last menstrual cycle is not a reliable way to determine if the client is pregnant, and it is not an urgent intervention that the nurse should implement immediately. The last menstrual cycle may not reflect the actual date of conception, and it may vary depending on the client's cycle length, ovulation time, and other factors. The nurse should use a more accurate and objective method to confirm or rule out pregnancy, such as a urine or blood test.

Choice B reason: Continuing with surgery as scheduled is not a safe or ethical intervention that the nurse should implement immediately, without verifying the client's pregnancy status. Surgery, especially abdominal surgery, can pose significant risks to the client and the fetus, such as bleeding, infection, anesthesia complications, preterm labor, and miscarriage. The nurse should inform the surgical team about the possibility of pregnancy and obtain the client's informed consent before proceeding with surgery.

Choice C reason: Performing a bedside pregnancy test is the most appropriate and timely intervention that the nurse should implement immediately, given the client's situation. A bedside pregnancy test is a simple and quick way to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta, in the client's urine. A positive result indicates that the client is pregnant, and a negative result indicates that the client is not pregnant. The nurse should perform the test as soon as possible and report the result to the surgical team and the client.

Choice D reason: Notifying the surgical team to cancel the surgery is not a necessary or prudent intervention that the nurse should implement immediately, without confirming the client's pregnancy status. Canceling the surgery may delay the treatment of the client's acute appendicitis, which can lead to serious complications, such as perforation, abscess, peritonitis, and sepsis. The nurse should first perform a bedside pregnancy test and then discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with the surgical team and the client.

A. Joint pain. B. Hematuria. C. Low grade fever. D. Muscle atrophy.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Joint pain is a common symptom of SLE, which is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to various organs and tissues. Joint pain can be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and corticosteroids. Joint pain is not a life-threatening finding that requires immediate attention from the health care provider.

Choice B reason: Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine, which can indicate kidney damage or failure. Kidney involvement is one of the most serious complications of SLE, which can lead to end-stage renal disease and require dialysis or transplantation. Hematuria is a critical finding that requires prompt intervention and treatment from the health care provider.

Choice C reason: Low grade fever is another common symptom of SLE, which can be caused by infection, inflammation, or medication side effects. Low grade fever can be treated with antipyretics, fluids, and antibiotics if needed. Low grade fever is not a life-threatening finding that requires immediate attention from the health care provider.

Choice D reason: Muscle atrophy is the loss of muscle mass and strength, which can occur due to inactivity, malnutrition, or steroid use. Muscle atrophy can be prevented or reversed with exercise, nutrition, and physiotherapy. Muscle atrophy is not a life-threatening finding that requires immediate attention from the health care provider.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is caring for a client who is still experiencing light sedation after undergoing an emergency colectomy for bowel obstruction. Which postoperative pain intervention should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While completing a health assessment for a young adult female with acute appendicitis, the client informs the nurse that there is a chance that she may be pregnant. The operating team is preparing to take the client to surgery. Which intervention should the nurse implement immediately?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client is admitted to the medical unit during an exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is most important to report which assessment finding to the health care provider?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client taking antibiotics for three days to treat a Streptococcal throat infection returns to the clinic reporting a feel itchy rash across the chest and arms. The nurse auscultates pulmonary wheezing and an elevated heart rate. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse calls the healthcare provider because a client diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is reporting of low back pain. Which additional information about the client would be important for the nurse to tell the healthcare provider?

A client admitted to the emergency department with an acute exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease is vomiting and describing epigastric pain and nausea. After obtaining vital sign measurements, which prescription should the nurse implement first?

An adult client, a smoker, has had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for twelve years. When conducting discharge teaching, what should the nurse advise the client to avoid in order to prevent exacerbation of COPD?

An older client with cirrhosis of the liver and hepatic failure is placed on a low sodium diet and is receiving periodic albumin infusions. Which assessment finding indicates progress toward the desired effect of this treatment plan?