A patient with severe deep partial-thickness burns is scheduled for hydrotherapy at 10:00 A.M. every day. The patient has an order for percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) of two tablets by mouth every 4 to 6 hours PRN for pain

Question

When developing the nursing care plan, the nurse should include which of the following nursing orders? 1. administer two tablets of percocet at 9:00 A.M. every day prior to hydrotherapy
2. administer two tablets of percocet at 10:00 A.M. every day prior to hydrotherapy
3. administer two tablets of percocet at 9:45 A.M. every day prior to hydrotherapy
4. administer two tablets of percocet at 11:00 A.M. every day right after hydrotherapy

Answer 1

1

Rationale: The nurse should plan to administer the pain medication prior to a painful procedure. Because it takes about 45 to 60 minutes for an oral medication to be absorbed, the nurse should plan to give percocet at 9:00 A.M. every day, one hour prior to hydrotherapy. Giving the pain medicine at 9:45 or at 10:00 does not allow enough time for the medicine to have an effect prior to hydrotherapy, which is usually a painful procedure for patients with burns. Giving percocet after the procedure may decrease its effectiveness because it is easier to control pain before it becomes severe.