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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should explain to the client's daughter that Rivastigmine is most effective when used early during Alzheimer's disease. Delaying the use of the medication until the symptoms are no longer manageable may result in the drug being less effective.
The nurse should emphasize the importance of following the healthcare provider's instructions for administering the medication to maximize its therapeutic effect. It is important to educate the client's daughter about the progressive nature of Alzheimer's disease and the need for ongoing monitoring and care.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Probenecid is a uricosuric drug that works by inhibiting the reabsorption of uric acid in the kidneys and promotes its excretion in the urine. This drug is used to treat gout and hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid in the blood). Therefore, the nurse should explain to the client that the purpose of probenecid is to promote the excretion of uric acid in the urine and lower the levels of uric acid in the blood, which can help prevent gout attacks and kidney stones.
Options a, b, and d are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the mechanism of action or purpose of probenecid.
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