A patient is being admitted to the neurologic ICU with suspected herpes simplex virus encephalitis. What nursing action best addresses the patient's complaints of headache?
A) Initiating a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of morphine sulfate
B) Administering hydromorphone (Dilaudid) IV as needed
C) Dimming the lights and reducing stimulation
D) Distracting the patient with activity
Ans: C
Feedback:
Comfort measures to reduce headache include dimming the lights, limiting noise and visitors, grouping nursing interventions, and administering analgesic agents. Opioid analgesic medications may mask neurologic symptoms; therefore, they are used cautiously. Non-opioid analgesics may be preferred. Distraction is unlikely to be effective, and may exacerbate the patient's pain.
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