A terminally ill patient you are caring for is complaining of pain. The physician has ordered a large dose of intravenous opioids by continuous infusion. You know that one of the adverse effects of this medicine is respiratory depression
When you assess your patient's respiratory status, you find that the rate has decreased from 16 breaths per minute to 10 breaths per minute. What action should you take?
A) Decrease the rate of IV infusion.
B) Stimulate the patient in order to increase respiratory rate.
C) Report the decreased respiratory rate to the physician.
D) Allow the patient to rest comfortably.
Ans: C
Feedback:
End-of life issues that often involve ethical dilemmas include pain control, "do not resuscitate" orders, life-support measures, and administration of food and fluids. The risk of respiratory depression is not the intent of the action of pain control. Respiratory depression should not be used as an excuse to withhold pain medication for a terminally ill patient. The patient's respiratory status should be carefully monitored and any changes should be reported to the physician.
You might also like to view...
A client must take four tabs per day for 14 days. How many tablets should the pharmacy supply to fill this order? ______
ANS:
The nurse is teaching a client who was recently diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. Which instruction does the nurse include in this client's discharge teaching?
a. "Drink at least 3 liters of fluid each day." b. "Use a soft-bristled toothbrush." c. "Avoid blowing your nose." d. "Use only aspirin when having pain."
You are performing a thorough cardiac examination. Which of the following chambers of the heart can you assess by palpation?
A) Left atrium B) Right atrium C) Right ventricle D) Sinus node
Which initiative focuses on unit safety?
1. HCUP 2. TERCAP 3. CUSP 4. NDNQI