The nurse is caring for an older adult patient diagnosed with diverticulitis. Which medication is the best choice to manage the patient's pain?
a. Meperidine (Demerol)
b. Morphine
c. Nalbuphine hydrochloride (Nubain)
d. Naloxone (Narcan)
B
Morphine is acceptable for pain management and has fewer side effects than meperidine (De-merol). In earlier recommendations, Demerol was the drug of choice based on a theoretical risk not shown in studies. A metabolite of meperidine (Demerol) is toxic, and the older adult has dif-ficulty metabolizing and eliminating it. The buildup of the toxin in the blood can cause seizures and other mental status changes such as acute confusion. Ask for an alternate analgesic for these patients.
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A student asks the pharmacology instructor if there is a way to increase the benefits and decrease the risks of antibiotic therapy. What would be an appropriate response by the instructor?
A) Taking drugs not prescribed for the particular illness tends to maximize risks and minimize benefits. B) Never use antibiotics in combination with other prescriptions or in combination with other antibiotics. C) Maximize antibiotic drug therapy by administering the full dose when the patient has a fever. D) Use antibiotics cautiously and teach patients to complete the full course of an antibiotic prescription.
A pregnant client's fundus is at the umbilicus. Her gestational age is in the range of
a. 12 to 14 weeks c. 28 to 30 weeks b. 20 to 22 weeks d. 38 to 40 weeks
An individual brought to the emergency department (ED) and is suspected of having taken an overdose of pilocarpine (Pilocar) 3 hours ago
Upon assessment, that nurse notes profuse salivation, lacrimation, bronchospasm, diarrhea, a blood pressure of 82/40, and a heart rate of 51. The nurse should prepare to administer a. epinephrine (Adrenalin). b. atropine (Sal-Tropine). c. activated charcoal. d. syrup of ipecac.
Which parental statements regarding precipitating factors for sickle-cell disease indicate correct understanding of the discharge information presented by the nurse? Select all that apply
1. "My child should avoid regular exercise." 2. "We should provide acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat fever." 3. "Our child needs to drink lots of fluid to avoid dehydration when playing sports." 4. "High altitudes can cause exacerbation and should be avoided." 5. "Fluid restriction is necessary to avoid exacerbations from occurring."