The nurse is caring for two clients who both are in pain due to sickle cell anemia. One of the clients rates the pain as a 7 out of 10 (0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain possible). This client is moving around easily and is eating well, but has asked for pain medication. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Notify the healthcare provider that this client is faking the pain.
Administer the pain medication if it has been longer than the ordered interval.
Wait 30 minutes and see if the client is still requesting pain medicine.
Administer half the ordered dose of pain medication.
The Correct Answer is B
Pain is a subjective experience, and the client's report of pain should be respected and addressed promptly. If the pain medication is ordered and it has been longer than the ordered interval, the nurse should administer the medication as prescribed. In general, withholding pain medication for a client in pain is not an appropriate action.
Administering half the ordered dose of pain medication without a healthcare provider's order is also not appropriate. The nurse should follow the healthcare provider's orders for pain medication administration and titration.
It's also not appropriate to assume that the client is faking pain without adequate assessment and evidence to support such a claim. The nurse should perform a thorough pain assessment, including the location, intensity, and quality of the pain, and consider non-pharmacological interventions to help manage the pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The normal range for respiratory rate in adults is typically between 12 to 20 breaths per minute, butsome individuals may have a slightly higher or lower respiratory rate within the normal range.
Options a and b are incorrect. Bowel sounds of 5-30 per minute are within the normal range, but this finding alone does not indicate that the patient is ready to go home. Capillary refill of greater than 3 seconds is considered abnormal and may indicate poor peripheral perfusion.
Option d is also incorrect. A heart rate of 10 is extremely low and would be considered bradycardia. This could indicate an underlying medical issue and would require further assessment and intervention before the patient is discharged.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Hypoxia is a medical condition characterized by a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues, which can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or other serious medical conditions. Cyanosis occurs when the oxygen saturation level in the blood falls below 85%, which causes a bluish color to appear on the skin, especially on the lips and fingertips. Therefore, if a nurse observes cyanosis in a patient's lips, it is a significant sign of hypoxia, and the patient requires immediate medical attention.
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