Which nursing action had the highest priority when administering a dose of codeine with acetaminophen to a client?
Advice the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes.
Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic.
Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.
Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.
Choice A reason:
Advise the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes.
While it is important to inform the client about the onset of action of the medication, this is not the highest priority. Codeine, an opioid, can cause dizziness and sedation, which increases the risk of falls. Therefore, safety measures take precedence over informing the client about the medication’s onset time.
Choice B reason:
Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic.
Opioids like codeine can cause constipation, so administering a stool softener or laxative is a good practice. However, this action is not the highest priority when considering the immediate safety of the client. Ensuring the client’s safety from potential falls due to dizziness or sedation is more urgent.
Choice C reason:
Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.
This is the correct answer because codeine can cause dizziness, sedation, and orthostatic hypotension, increasing the risk of falls. Ensuring the client requests assistance when moving can prevent potential injuries, making it the highest priority nursing action.
Choice D reason:
Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.
While it is important for the client to communicate about the effectiveness of pain relief, this is not the highest priority. The immediate concern is the client’s safety due to the sedative effects of codeine. Therefore, preventing falls and injuries takes precedence.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Intermittent claudication is a condition in which there is pain in the legs due to reduced blood flow. Pentoxifylline is a medication that can improve blood flow by reducing the viscosity of the blood. Therefore, to determine the effectiveness of the medication in managing intermittent claudication, the nurse should monitor the client's pain level using a numeric pain scale. This will help to assess if the medication provides pain relief and improving the client's ability to walk without discomfort.
Options a, b, and c are not relevant to the assessment of the effectiveness of pentoxifylline in managing intermittent claudication.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. It works by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the gut, which is a toxin that can accumulate in the blood in patients with liver dysfunction.
Monitoring serum electrolytes and ammonia levels can help the nurse evaluate the effectiveness of lactulose therapy. Elevated ammonia levels can indicate that the medication is not effectively reducing ammonia absorption and may require adjustment in dose or frequency. Additionally, monitoring electrolyte levels can help detect any imbalances that may occur because of lactulose therapy.
Fingerstick glucose levels (option A) are not relevant to evaluating the therapeutic response of lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy.
Stool color and character (option C) may be monitored to assess the side effects of lactulose, such as diarrhea, but are not the best assessments to evaluate therapeutic response.
Serum hepatic enzymes (option D) may be useful in assessing the severity of liver disease but are not the best assessment to evaluate the therapeutic response of lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy.
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