The nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted with a fractured leg and for observation of a closed head injury after a motor vehicle accident. The patient reports having pain at a level of 3 on a 1 to 10 pain scale
The nurse will expect the provider to order which analgesic medication for this patient?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) PO
b. Hydromorphone HCl (Dilaudid) IM
c. Morphine sulfate PCA
d. Transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic)
ANS: A
Use of opioid analgesics is contraindicated for patients with head injuries because of the risk of increased intracranial pressure. If opioids are necessary because of severe pain, they must be given in reduced doses. This patient is experiencing mild pain, so acetaminophen is an appropriate analgesic.
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