A client who had a myocardial infarction yesterday has pain medication ordered PRN for discomfort or agitation. The evening nurse's initial assessment indicates the client has not received any pain medications all day
Vital signs are within normal limits, but the client is sweating profusely. Smiling, the client informs the nurse that he has been experiencing some pain since early morning. Which of these actions should the nurse take? a. Administer the largest dose of pain medication allowed, since the client has not received it all day.
b. Administer the minimum dose of pain medication, and reassess the client's level of pain 30 minutes after administration and again at the minimal time interval for repeat dosing.
c. Continue to withhold the ordered pain medication because vital signs are within normal limits and the client is smiling.
d. Encourage the client to continue to do without ordered pain medication to avoid addiction.
B
The measures the client thinks will be most effective should be used, including nontraditional measures such as folk remedies. Other interventions may be used on a trial-and-error basis until pain relief is achieved. The second principle is to use a preventive approach. This means that the nurse should seek to initiate interventions when the client's pain is mild or when it is anticipated, rather than waiting until the pain becomes severe.
You might also like to view...
The female older adult has diabetes mellitus and requires hemodialysis for renal failure. She is discharged to home to recover from a sternal wound infection and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). A home care nurse will provide wound care
Which is the major justification for complete and accurate documentation of this older adult's care? a. Requires complex health care b. Has needs in multiple settings c. Is at risk for iatrogenic problems d. Has significant health care expenses
The parents of a 5-year-old bring their son to the emergency department because of significant eyelid edema. The mother states, "He scratched himself near his eye a couple of days ago while playing outside in the yard
" The nurse suspects periorbital cellulitis based on which of the following? A) Evidence of discharge B) Reddened conjunctiva C) Purplish discoloration of eyelid D) Altered visual acuity
Symptoms of eating disorders may overlap and are difficult to identify.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
The nurse is preparing to indirectly percuss a patient's kidneys. In which order should the nurse perform this assessment? Place in order the steps of the process.Choice 1. Stand behind the patient.Choice 2. Curl the dominant hand into a fist.Choice 3. Assist the patient to a sitting position.Choice 4. Place nondominant hand over the costovertebral angle.Choice 5. Strike the back of the nondominant hand with the dominant hand.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).