The nurse administers an analgesic to a patient with a headache. How should the nurse assess the patient's response to the medication?
a. Observe the patient's behavior.
b. Ask the patient to describe the pain.
c. Monitor the patient's blood pressure and pulse.
d. Have the patient rate the pain on a scale of 0 to 10.
ANS: D
A pain rating scale is the most objective measure of the patient's pain. A, B, and C may also be helpful but are not the primary data needed. Blood pressure and pulse may increase with acute pain but not with chronic pain.
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After administering an opioid antagonist, which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to do when the client's pain recurs? Select all that apply
A) Change opioid antagonists. B) Review the circumstances that led to the use of the opioid antagonist. C) Assess the client's pain level. D) Begin to treat the pain again. E) Decrease the rate of opioid antagonist administration.
The nurse has just received a patient from the emergency department with an admitting diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. To prevent the spread of nosocomial infections to other patients, what is the best action by the nurse?
a. Implement droplet precautions upon admission. b. Wash hands thoroughly before leaving the room. c. Scrub the hub of all central line ports prior to use. d. Dispose of all bloody dressings in biohazard bags.
What is the nurse's best response to a mother whose child has a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is expressing guilt about not having responded sooner to her child's symptoms?
a. "You should always call the physician when your child has a change in what is normal for him.". b. "It is better to be safe than sorry.". c. "It is not uncommon for parents not to notice subtle changes in their children's health.". d. "I hope this delay does not affect the treat-ment plan.".
The tracer method is most useful in evaluating health care
a. Of individual clients b. Delivered by an individual provider c. In problems with well-defined characteristics and treatment d. Using health status indicators