The nurse is caring for a 1-day postoperative patient who is receiving morphine through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). What action by the nurse is a priority?
a. Check the respiratory rate.
b. Assess for nausea after eating.
c. Inspect the abdomen and auscultate bowel sounds.
d. Evaluate the sacral and heel areas for signs of redness.
ANS: A
The patient's respiratory rate is the highest priority of care while using PCA medication because of the possible respiratory depression. The other information may also require intervention but is not as urgent to report as the respiratory rate.
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The nurse is caring for a patient on the cardiac unit with a history of atrial flutter. The nurse understands that the patient may be treated with which drug?
a. Procainamide (Procanbid) b. Atropine c. Lidocaine d. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
When providing anticipatory guidance to a new mother, what information does the nurse convey about the newborn's neurologic and sensory/perceptual functioning? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct and no incorrect choices are
selected. Select all that apply. 1. Newborns respond to and interact with the environment in a predictable pattern of behavior, reacting differently to a variety of stresses. 2. The usual position of the newborn is with extremities partially flexed, legs near the abdomen. 3. Newborns do not react to bright light, and their eye movements do not permit them to fixate on faces or objects until they are 3 months of age. 4. Newborns have the capacity to utilize self-quieting behaviors to quiet and comfort themselves. 5. The newborn is very sensitive to being touched, cuddled, and held.
A dull, aching pain is defined as
1. nerve pain. 2. somatic. 3. neuropathic. 4. visceral.
Released stress-induced cortisol results in the stimulation of gluconeogenesis by affecting which structure?
a. Adrenal cortex b. Pancreas c. Liver d. Anterior pituitary