A patient taking opioid medication for metastatic bone cancer asks the nurse why he is able to tolerate such large doses of the medication over time. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Over time you become more tolerant of the drug."
B) "You are immune to the effects of the drug."
C) "You may have formed an addiction to the drug."
D) "Your body absorbs less of the drug due to the cancer."
Ans: A
Feedback: Over time, the patient is likely to become more tolerant of the dosage. There is little evidence that patients with cancer become addicted to the opioid medications.
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The nurse reefers to the traditional clinical signs of death as:
1. Brain death. 2. Heart–lung death. 3. Cerebral death. 4. Clinical death.
A nursing supervisor is offering an impaired staff member information regarding employee assistance programs. Which of the following facts should the supervisor include? (Select all that apply.)
1. A hotline number will be available in order to call for peer assistance. 2. A verbal contract detailing the method of treatment will be initiated prior to the program. 3. Peer support is provided through regular contact with the impaired nurse. 4. Contact to provide peer support will last for one year. 5. One of the program goals is to intervene early in order to reduce hazards to clients.
Which of the following best describes the most crucial step in policy formation?
a. Convincing both political parties and independents to support the proposed policy b. Defining the issue and placing it on the agenda for possible action c. Determining who has vested interest in what aspects of the policy d. Trying to simplify the proposed legislation so the public will support it
The nurse is caring for a patient who had a hemiglossectomy earlier that day. Postoperative assessment reveals a patent airway, stable vital signs, and no bleeding or drainage from the operative site
The patient is alert. What is the patient's priority need at this time? A) Emotional support from visitors and staff B) An effective means of communicating with the nurse C) Referral to a speech therapist D) Dietary teaching focused on consistency of food and frequency of feedings