The nurse has brought a patient the scheduled pain medication. The patient asks the nurse to wait to give pain medication until the time for the dressing change, which is 2 hours away. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
a. "This medication will still be providing you relief at the time of your dressing change."
b. "OK, swallow this pain pill, and I will return in a minute to change your dressing."
c. "Would you like medication to be given for dressing changes in addition to your regularly scheduled medication?"
d. "Your medication is scheduled for this time, and I can't adjust the time for you. I'm sorry, but you must take your pill right now."
ANS: C
Additional doses of medication can be given to patients in certain circumstances, as with an extensive dressing change, when the health care provider is notified that more medication is needed. It is the nurse's responsibility to communicate with the provider and with the patient about a pain-control plan that works for both. By asking to hold off on the dose, the patient is indicating that the dressing changes are extremely painful. The regularly scheduled dose might not be as effective for the patient 2 hours later when the dressing change is scheduled. Oral medications take 30 to 60 minutes to take effect. If the nurse began the dressing change right then, the medication would not have been absorbed yet. The patient has the right to refuse to take a medication.
You might also like to view...
The nurse should suspect uterine rupture if:
a. Fetal tachycardia occurs. b. The woman becomes dyspneic. c. Contractions abruptly stop during labor. d. Labor progresses unusually quickly.
When assessing an older adult diagnosed with an amnestic disorder, the nurse would expect to observe which of the following?
A) Personality changes B) Disorientation to person C) Impairment in abstract thinking D) Difficulty in learning new information
A client with depression does not want to take prescribed medication because of the side effects. What can the nurse suggest to help with medication adherence?
Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Use ice chips to help alleviate dry mouth. 2. Chew gum or use hard candy to help alleviate dry mouth. 3. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash to help alleviate dry mouth. 4. Use "dry eye" drops to help with eye dryness. 5. Take alcoholic beverages several times a week to help with unpleasant side effects.
The mother of a 2-year-old child becomes very anxious when the child has a temper tantrum in the medical office. Which response by the nurse to the mother is appropriate?
1. "Let's ignore this behavior. It will stop sooner." 2. "What do you usually do or say during a temper tantrum?" 3. "This is definitely a temper tantrum. I know exactly what you are feeling right now." 4. "Pick up and cuddle your child now, please."