Your patient is receiving postoperative analgesic through a PCA pump. You have given the patient a bolus of a narcotic medication. What is it important for you to assess the patient for?

A) Sedation
B) Respiratory depression
C) Fluid overload
D) Changes in the skin integrity


Ans: B
Feedback: A patient who receives opioids by any route must be assessed frequently for changes in respiratory status. Sedation is an expected effect of a narcotic analgesic. Fluid overload and changes in skin integrity are not what you would assess for when giving narcotic medications.

Nursing

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A client is scheduled to have general anesthesia for a surgical procedure. The client asks the nurse about being awake during surgery. What is the nurse's BEST response?

a. "The anesthesiologist can give you specific information about the effects of the anesthesia selected." b. "Just relax. You'll be fine." c. "I'm not sure. Better talk to your anesthesiologist." d. "With a general anesthetic you will be asleep during surgery."

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The nurse is explaining the influence of culture on growth and development to a group of expectant first-time parents. The nurse recognizes the need for further teaching when a parent states:

1. "Mothers and fathers should always share in the responsibilities of caring for a new baby." 2. "Culture may influence the rate at which developmental milestones occur." 3. "The ways in which children are disciplined may vary among cultures." 4. "The value of education varies among cultures."

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A nurse appointed to the state board of nursing would expect work focused on which basic purpose of that body?

1. Establishing a means of protecting the public at large 2. Ensuring that all schools of nursing seek national accreditation 3. Ensuring that all practicing nurses are competent 4. Restricting nursing practice through regulations

Nursing

You are administering a nebulizer treatment to a patient. To maximize its effect, it is important to advise the patient to do which of the following?

a. Breathe as fast as possible. b. Lie down. c. Place teeth around the mouthpiece and leave his or her lips open. d. Place his or her lips around the mouthpiece and take slow deliberate breaths.

Nursing