A night shift nurse is assuming a day shift nurse?s client assignment. The assignment includes two clients who are third day post-op colon resections in which Loratab has been controlling their pain

Question

The night shift nurse is conducting the shift assessment and both of these clients complain of pain. The night shift nurse was informed by the day shift nurse these two clients had just received two hydrocodone (Loratab) tablets for pain. What action should the night shift nurse take? 1. Repeat the medication.
2. Inform the manager of the situation.
3. Call the physician to obtain an order for IV narcotics.
4. Obtain a set of vital signs.

Answer 1

2
Explanation: 1. The nurse must determine that the clients received the medication, what time, and obtain a
current set of vital signs and assessment prior to repeating the medication. The nurse may call
the physician and discuss the situation, but the nurse would need more information, such as
did these clients receive this medication by another nurse and did it control their pain. These
clients are 3 days post-op and their pain should be controlled by p.o medications. The manager
or supervisor needs to be aware of the situation so it can be investigated.