The patient is admitted with chronic pain. She states that nothing takes the pain away totally, but that "Dilaudid works best." The fact that the patient calls the medication by name should alert the nurse to:
a. suspect that the patient is drug seeking.
b. expect that the patient may need smaller doses than normal.
c. assess the patient's acceptable level of comfort.
d. accept the fact that nothing will help this patient's pain.
C
It is important to assess the patient's acceptable level of comfort so that both you and the patient are striving for the same outcome. Some patients with prior pain conditions can alert the nurse to pain-relieving measures that were successful. Patients with chronic/persistent pain are often familiar with the names and actions of medications, including opioid medications. This should not cause you to view the patient negatively or with suspicion. Patients currently receiving opioids for chronic pain often require higher doses of analgesics to alleviate new pain. Do not accept that "there is nothing that will help this patient's pain." Learn the institutional policy for how to proceed in this situation.
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What is the purpose of the Cochrane Collaboration?
1. To help various individuals and groups of people make well-informed health care decisions. 2. To form coalitions to support the rights of health care workers. 3. To establish the United States as the premier provider of health care in the world. 4. To develop a centralized clearinghouse for nursing research proposals.
When collecting a client's drug history, the nurse recognizes that both bone and muscle function may be most impaired if the client reports taking:
A) corticosteroids. B) oral hypoglycemic agents. C) aspirin. D) potassium sparing diuretics.
Asian Americans often view emotional illness as behavior that is out of control and that brings shame on the family
When planning care for Asian American clients, which response to psychological distress should a nurse anticipate among individuals in this cultural group? A) Obsessive–compulsive behavior B) Depression C) Somatization disorder D) Phobias
The licensed practical/vocational nurse (LP/VN) is informed at a staff meeting that the hospital plans on cross training the LP/VNs to draw the blood specimens and perform the electrocardiograms (ECGs)
The state nurse practice act permits the additional tasks through cross training. Which question is the most important question the LP/VN should ask at this meeting? A) What is happening to the phlebotomists and ECG technician's positions? Will they still be around? B) What training will be provided to ensure that the nurses performing the skills are competent and have the necessary knowledge to practice safely? C) Will the LP/VNs receive additional pay compensation for the additional skills we provide for the hospital? D) What happens if I cannot learn the skills or perform them proficiently? Is there another unit I can work and not perform the skills?