A patient with a newly fractured femur reports a pain level of 8/10, and analgesic medication is not due for another 50 minutes. Which actions should the nurse take?
a. Reposition the patient.
b. Give the medication in 30 minutes.
c. Notify the registered nurse (RN) or physician.
d. Tell the patient it is too early for pain medication.
ANS: C
C. The patient should not have to wait for pain relief. The LPN should inform the RN or physician, so new pain relief orders can be obtained. A. The patient who has a fractured femur is experiencing acute pain. Repositioning a patient with a new fracture is not likely to relieve pain. B. Giving the medication before the prescribed time is beyond the nurse's scope of practice. D. The nurse needs to do more than expect the patient to wait for pain relief.
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