The nurse is caring for two clients who both are in pain due to sickle cell anemia
One of the clients rates the pain as a 7 out of 10 (0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain possible). This client is moving around easily and is eating well, but has asked for pain medicine. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. Wait 30 minutes and see if the client is still requesting the pain medicine.
2. Administer half the ordered does of pain medication.
3. Administer the pain medication if it is has been longer than the ordered interval.
4. Notify the healthcare provider that the client is faking his pain.
Correct Answer: 3
Since pain occurs whenever the experiencing person says it does and is whatever the experiencing person says it is, the nurse should accurately assess and treat the pain with the pain medication if that is what is ordered. Waiting to administer the medication is inappropriate and is an action that appears to negate the client's reports. Administration of only a portion of the ordered medication places the nurse in a position of prescribing medications and is outside the nurse's scope of practice. Notification to the healthcare provider that the patient is faking the pain is inappropriate as there is no evidence of this action.
You might also like to view...
Your patient, a 72-year-old retired Methodist minister, has just made a decision to enter hospice care. He sighs and then states in a shaky voice, "I prayed to God for healing, but He hasn't answered. I guess it's my time to go
"Your best response would be which of the following? a. "I know God cares for you; I'm sure He heard your prayers and will answer them in His time." b. "I'm glad you're here now. We'll take good care of you." c. "You seem to be feeling down; would you like to speak with the chaplain or your minister?" d. "You may need some medication to help you through this hard time; I'll call your physician."
The nurse would explain to a client with a sleep disorder that alcohol intoxication
a. decreases REM sleep. b. increases sleep latency. c. increases stage 4 sleep. d. promotes periodic limb movements.
The nurse is caring for a client who has complaints of chronic pain and who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The nurse expects to assess which of the following in this client? (Select all that apply.)
1. Pain in the calves of the leg 2. Anxiety 3. Irritable bowel syndrome 4. Nausea and vomiting 5. Headache
A patient's urine output is greater than 200 mL/hour and hemodynamic stability cannot be achieved by using fluids and vasoactive medications. The nurse anticipates that which medication may be prescribed?
1. Beta blocker such as Lopressor 2. Diuretic such as furosemide 3. Concentrated sugar such as 50% dextrose 4. Hormone such as vasopressin