Which nursing intervention would be included in pain management of a patient after orthopedic surgery?
1. Administering pain medications only when the patient is awake
2. Anticipatory pain management prior to therapy
3. Assessing vital signs to evaluate the degree of pain
4. Encourage the patient to lengthen the time intervals between pain medication doses.
2
Rationale 1: Pain medications should be given around the clock for more effective management of pain at all times.
Rationale 2: Anticipatory pain management will improve the efforts during therapy to speed up the recovery process. Better pain management that is more consistently given will improve outcomes of recovery and patient satisfaction.
Rationale 3: Vital signs do not always reflect the degree of pain experienced by the patient.
Rationale 4: The nurse should treat the pain to prevent pain-related complications. Encouraging the patient to lengthen the time between doses of pain medication is not good practice.
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The nurse assesses that the patient is having a sympathetic response when noting what manifestations?
A) Decrease in sweating, decrease in respirations, and pupil constriction B) Decrease in heart rate and perfusion, and an increase in inflammatory reactions C) Increase in blood pressure, bronchodilation, and decreased bowel sounds D) Increased motility and secretions in the GI tract, and constriction of bronchi and pupils
The nurse intends to lobby the state legislature to write a new code of ethics for the nurses in the state. Is this an appropriate idea?
1. Yes, the code of ethics is written and published by individual state legislatures. 2. No, federal lawmakers have jurisdiction over codes of ethics. 3. No, the code of ethics is the product of hospital associations across the nation. 4. No, professional nursing organizations write the code of ethics for nurses.
"A patient with hepatitis B is being discharged in 2 days. In the discharge teching plan the nurse should include instructions to:
a. Avoid alcohol for the first 3 weeks b. Use a condom during sexual intercourse c. Have family members get an injection of immunoglobin d. Follow a low-protein, moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-fat diet
A nurse is reviewing the charts of four patients in the birthing unit. Which patient has an increased risk for an episiotomy?
1. The patient laboring in a lithotomy position 2. The patient with a fetus in an occiput-anterior position 3. The patient with abruptio placentae 4. The patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension