A patient recovering from surgery for a ruptured appendix yesterday has an order for morphine 4 mg q 6 hours prn
Every 5 hours and 55 minutes, the patient puts on the call light and asks for the morphine. A staff member comments that the patient is drug-seeking. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate first?
a. Administer the morphine every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours.
b. Explain to the staff member that labeling the patient as drug seeking is inappropriate.
c. Consult with the RN or physician about ordering a higher or more frequent dose of morphine.
d. Explain to the patient that weaning off the morphine as soon as possible is essential to reduce the risk of addiction.
ANS: C
The patient has acute postsurgical pain that is not being controlled effectively with a q 6 hour schedule. The nurse should consult with the RN or physician for a change in orders. D. The patient just had surgery yesterday, so it is not reasonable to wean off the opioid yet. A. The morphine cannot be given every 4 hours without an order. B. Educating the staff member may be appropriate, but treating the patient's pain is the first priority.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is off-duty and watching a youth baseball game when one of the players gets hit in the chest with a ball. The child immediately drops to the ground and is unresponsive. What is the priority action for the nurse to initiate?
1. Initiate CPR. 2. Call 911. 3. Find the parents and offer them comfort. 4. Check the child for hemorrhage.
When reviewing a client's chart prior to beginning care, the nurse notes a do not resuscitate order on file. This order
1. Prevents the client from receiving antibiotics 2. Prevents the client from receiving IV fluids 3. Prevents interventions the client does not wish to have performed when death approaches 4. Prevents surgery from being performed
An elderly client's small-bowel obstruction has resolved and her intestinal decompression tube has been ordered to be removed. When performing this nursing action, what should the nurse prioritize?
A) Instill a small amount of water to provide lubrication while withdrawing the tube. B) Remove the tube slowly to avoid injuring the client. C) Change from continuous to intermittent suction during removal. D) Aspirate the tube while removing it in order to normalize pressure.
The process in which the uterus returns to a non-pregnant state after birth is known as __________
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word