The nurse is caring for a patient who requires an opiate medication for chronic pain associated with a previous injury. The patient tells the nurse, "Even though I don't feel like I'm addicted to the medication, I get tremors in my hands if I miss a

What is the nurse's best response?
1. "You may be addicted to the medication, but not necessarily physically dependent."
2. "You may be physically dependent on the medication, but not necessarily addicted."
3. "The symptoms you describe are indicative of addiction, whether you feel you are or not."
4. "The symptoms you describe relate to your disease state and are not normal."


Answer: 2
Explanation: The patient may be physically dependent on the substance, but not necessarily addicted. Increasing frequency and amount of use creates physical dependence, in which the body becomes so dependent on the substance that without it, withdrawal symptoms will begin. Continued use leads to a breakdown in patterns of daily living, part of the addictive process. Addiction, not physical dependence, is considered a disease state.

Nursing

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A 22-year-old single patient, G1, P0, accompanied by her boyfriend, is admitted to the labor unit with ruptured membranes and mild to moderate contractions. She is determined to be 2 centimeters dilated

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What other actions may occur?

You are waiting for a RN Rosie has been working as an anaesthetic nurse for several months and she is in the anaesthetic room with Mrs A, who is to undergo a total knee replacement. Mrs A has had a premedication, which has made her drowsy, but she is clearly still very anxious and holding firmly onto Rosie's hand. Rosie notices that Mrs A's healthcare record and her consent form both state that the procedure that she is about to undergo is a right total knee replacement. The operating list in the operating suite has Mrs A listed for a left total knee replacement. Rosie asks Mrs A to clarify which knee she is having replaced and Mrs A points to her right knee, but tells Rosie that ‘both knees are bad'. Rosie checks Mrs A's legs to see whether the surgeon has marked the operative site for today's procedure and notes that this has not occurred. What will be an ideal response?

Nursing