A patient is recovering from intracranial surgery performed approximately 24 hours ago and is complaining of a headache that the patient rates at 8 on a 10-point pain scale. What nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Administer morphine sulfate as ordered.
B) Reposition the patient in a prone position.
C) Apply a hot pack to the patient's scalp.
D) Implement distraction techniques.
Ans: A
Feedback:
The patient usually has a headache after a craniotomy as a result of stretching and irritation of nerves in the scalp during surgery. Morphine sulfate may also be used in the management of postoperative pain in patients who have undergone a craniotomy. Prone positioning is contraindicated due to the consequent increase in ICP. Distraction would likely be inadequate to reduce pain and a hot pack may cause vasodilation and increased pain.
You might also like to view...
The patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis and is later diagnosed as having a pseudocyst. The nurse realizes that:
a. surgery for pseudocysts must be done immediately. b. a cholecystectomy is usually done when pseudocysts are found. c. pseudocysts may resolve spontaneously, so surgery may be delayed. d. pseudocysts require pancreatic resection, removing the entire pancreas.
The nurse is planning care for a client who is newly wheelchair bound owing to a spinal cord injury. What priority intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to assist the client in transferring from the bed to the wheelchair?
a. A diet high in protein and low in calories b. An occupational therapy consult c. Bowel and bladder retraining d. Upper arm strengthening exercises
The nurse admitting a client to the unit is obtaining information regarding the client's spiritual practices. Which questions should the nurse include in the assessment? Select all that apply.
A. "How do your spiritual beliefs influence your health?" B. "Would you like your spiritual leader to be contacted?" C. "Would you feel more comfortable with your family present?" D. "Are there any dietary restrictions associated with your spiritual practice?" E. "Do you have any rituals that you perform at certain times of the day?"
What hormones do the testes produce?
A) Estrogen and testosterone B) Testosterone and spermatozoa C) Progesterone and ovum D) Thyroxin and cortisol