What is the priority nursing assessment for a patient who his receiving postoperative epidural analgesia with hydromorphone (Dilaudid)?

a. Respiratory rate, depth, and pattern
b. Skin underneath the epidural dressing
c. Bladder scanning to check for urinary retention
d. Itching on the trunk and/or extremities


ANS: A
The respiratory system is the priority nursing assessment for patients receiving narcotic pain medication via any route. This is because narcotics can cause respiratory suppression. The other assessments are a lower priority and may be done after a respiratory assessment is completed.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

A client reports being allergic to codeine. The nurse asks the client about the specific problem, and the client reports that she becomes nauseous. The nurse explains that this is not an allergy but:

1. An untoward effect. 2. An adverse effect. 3. Acute toxic reaction. 4. Chronic toxicity.

Nursing

After teaching environmental control to the parents of a child with asthma, the nurse determines that teaching was successful when the parents make which of the following statements?

1. "We will replace the carpet in our child's bedroom with tile.". 2. "We're glad the dog can continue to sleep in our child's room.". 3. "We'll be sure to use the fireplace often to keep the house warm in the winter.". 4. "We'll keep the plants in our child's room dusted.".

Nursing

A community health nurse has been getting good attendance and group participation in her Saturday class on newborn care for young mothers. The participants receive free transportation and a $10 food voucher for attending

When they participate, prizes are distributed. This nurse is using behavioral theory to encourage clients, focusing the teaching on which of the following concepts? A) Meeting a hierarchy of needs B) The learner's self-confidence and personal mastery C) A person's natural tendency to learn D) Changes in response to a stimulus

Nursing

The key concepts within the psychodynamic approach each provide a way of looking at the hidden dynamics of organizational behavior in order to

a. Decipher the behaviors that lead to positive leadership b. Decipher the emotional impact of leaders on their followers c. Decipher the knowledge acquisition necessary for top leader performance d. Decipher the motives for why people behave the way they do

Nursing