The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with shingles. The patient has been complaining of constant pain along the sciatic nerve. What intervention by the nurse can best help to provide pain relief?
a. Distract the patient with conversation.
b. Massage the area of pain.
c. Move the affected leg through range of motion (ROM).
d. Change the patient's position frequently.
A
Distraction, guided imagery, and deep muscle relaxation may help reduce pain. Massage to the affected area will result in disruption in the vesicles of the disease. This disruption will delay healing and cause further discomfort. ROM and changing of positions are needed for patients with shingles in the event they are not mobile, but these actions will not reduce the discomfort.
You might also like to view...
A patient recovering from alcoholism has been taking disulfiram for a week. On a return visit to the clinic, the patient tells the nurse that he is experiencing flushing and warming of the face. What may be causing this reaction?
a. The patient may be allergic to the medication. b. The patient may be putting too much salt in his diet. c. The patient may still have alcohol in his system. d. The patient may have no alcohol in his system.
The school nurse is administering methylphenidate (Ritalin) to an adolescent is diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
The adolescent is noncompliant with coming to the nurse's office at noon for the medication. Which does the nurse suspect as the cause of the adolescent's noncompliance with the current medication regimen? A) The adolescent may fear that this drug may be a "gateway drug" that may lead to abusing other substances. B) An additional dose of medication is not needed while at school. C) Alternative coping mechanisms to increase focus during classes have been developed. D) The adolescent may be embarrassed about having to take medicine at school and fear a social stigma.
Which of the following are typical activities of daily living? (Select all that apply.)
A) Eating B) Dressing C) Toileting D) Moving E) Cooking
When discussing the effects of secondhand smoking with a group of new mothers, it is most important for the nurse to include which of the following?
A) Higher risk for fractures as they age B) Severe asthma attacks in children of smokers C) Greater risk for lung cancer D) Increased rate for coronary heart disease