The practical nurse (PN) is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is experiencing torticollis from a traumatic injury sustained during a football game. The client received a prescription for tramadol. Which intervention should the PN include in the client's plan of care?
Encourage the client to resume normal activities after medication administration.
Observe the client for involuntary movements of the lips and tongue every day.
Perform a daily whisper test of the client's hearing to detect symptoms of ototoxicity.
Implement ongoing assessments for signs of shallow or slow breathing.
The Correct Answer is D
Tramadol is an opioid analgesic that can depress the respiratory system and potentially cause respiratory depression. Therefore, it is crucial for the PN to closely monitor the client's breathing pattern, depth, and rate. Assessing for signs of shallow or slow breathing is important to detect any potential respiratory depression and take appropriate action promptly.
The other options listed are not directly related to the administration of tramadol:
A. Encouraging the client to resume normal activities after medication administration is not an appropriate intervention for a client experiencing torticollis. The focus should be on pain management, rest, and implementing measures to relieve the torticollis.
B. Observing the client for involuntary movements of the lips and tongue every day is not specifically related to tramadol. This intervention is more relevant to monitoring for tardive dyskinesia, a side effect associated with certain antipsychotic medications.
C. Performing a daily whisper test of the client's hearing to detect symptoms of ototoxicity is not necessary with tramadol. Ototoxicity refers to damage to the inner ear, often caused by specific medications, but tramadol is not known to cause ototoxic effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Are you planning to obey the voices?" – This question is crucial as it assesses the immediate risk of harm to the client or others. Determining if the client intends to follow commands from hallucinations provides insight into potential danger, ensuring safety is prioritized.
B. "Have you taken any hallucinogens?" – While drug use can contribute to hallucinations, asking about substance use is less urgent than assessing potential harm from the voices. Immediate safety takes precedence over exploring potential causes at this stage.
C. "When did these voices begin?" – Knowing when the symptoms started is relevant for understanding the history of the hallucinations but is secondary to determining if the client intends to act on any commands from the voices, as safety is the first priority.
D. "Do you believe the voices are real?" – This question helps assess the client’s insight into the hallucinations but is not as critical as assessing the immediate risk of harm by determining if the client plans to follow any commands from the voices.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The best action for the practical nurse (PN) to assist the client in dealing with his pain would be to guide the client through slow, rhythmic breathing.
Guiding the client through slow, rhythmic breathing techniques can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, which can indirectly contribute to pain relief. Deep breathing exercises can help the client focus on their breath and divert attention away from the pain, providing some relief and helping them cope with the discomfort. It is a non-pharmacological intervention that can be implemented immediately to help the client manage their pain.
The other options are less effective or not appropriate in this situation:
A. Dimming the lights in the room and closing the door may create a more calming environment, but it does not directly address the client's pain or provide them with effective pain relief.
B. Turning the television on to the client's favorite show may serve as a distraction, but it may not be sufficient to alleviate the client's pain.
D. Obtaining a prescription for a higher dose of pain medication should only be considered after evaluating the client's current pain management regimen and assessing their response to the current medication. It is not the immediate best action to take without further assessment and consideration of other non-pharmacological interventions.
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