A cancer patient is experiencing neuropathic cancer pain. Which prescription should the nurse expect to be ordered to control anxiety?
- A. Lorazepam (Ativan)
- B. Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- C. Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- D. Morphine sulfate (MS Contin)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticonvulsants (gabapentin, carbamazepine) have demonstrated effectiveness in neuropathic cancer pain. Ativan is an antianxiety agent, and Dilaudid and MS Contin are opioid analgesics.
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Which is the most consistent and commonly used data for assessment of pain in infants?
- A. Self-report
- B. Behavioral
- C. Physiologic
- D. Parental report
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Behavioral assessment is useful for measuring pain in young children and preverbal children who do not have the language skills to communicate that they are in pain. Infants are not able to self-report. Physiologic measures are not able to distinguish between physical responses to pain and other forms of stress. Parental report without a structured tool may not accurately reflect the degree of discomfort.
A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are needed on a school-age child. The most appropriate action to provide analgesia during the procedure is which?
- A. Administer TAC (tetracaine, adrenalin, and cocaine) 15 minutes before the procedure.
- B. Use a combination of fentanyl and midazolam for conscious sedation.
- C. Apply EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) 1 hour before the procedure.
- D. Apply a transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch immediately before the procedure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A bone marrow biopsy is a painful procedure. The combination of fentanyl and midazolam should be used to provide conscious sedation. TAC provides skin anesthesia about 15 minutes after it is applied to nonintact skin. The gel can be placed on a wound for suturing. It is not sufficient for a bone marrow biopsy. EMLA is an effective topical analgesic agent when applied to the skin 60 minutes before a procedure. It eliminates or reduces the pain from most procedures involving skin puncture. For this procedure, systemic analgesia is required. Transdermal fentanyl patches are useful for continuous pain control, not rapid pain control.
The nurse is teaching the parents of a child with recurrent headaches methods to modify behavior patterns that increase the risk of headache. Which statement by the parents indicates understanding the teaching?
- A. We will allow the child to miss school if a headache occurs.
- B. We will respond matter-of-factly to requests for special attention.
- C. We will be sure to give much attention to our child when a headache occurs.
- D. We will be sure our child doesnt have to perform at a band concert if a headache occurs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To modify behavior patterns that increase the risk of headache or reinforce headache activity, the nurse instructs the parents to avoid giving excessive attention to their childs headache and to respond matter-of-factly to pain behavior and requests for special attention. Parents learn to assess whether the child is avoiding school or social performance demands because of headache.
A 6-year-old child has patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain management after orthopedic surgery. The parents are worried that their child will be in pain. What should your explanation to the parents include?
- A. The child will continue to sleep and be pain free.
- B. Parents cannot administer additional medication with the button.
- C. The pump can deliver baseline and bolus dosages.
- D. There is a high risk of overdose, so monitoring is done every 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The PCA prescription can be set for a basal rate for a continuous infusion of pain medication. Additional doses can be administered by the patient, parent, or nurse as necessary. Although the goal of PCA is to have effective pain relief, a pain-free state may not be possible. With a 6-year-old child, the parents and nurse must assess the child to ensure that adequate medication is being given because the child may not understand the concept of pushing a button. Evidence-based practice suggests that effective analgesia can be obtained with the parents and nurse giving boluses as necessary. The prescription for the PCA includes how much medication can be given in a defined period. Monitoring every 1 to 2 hours for patient response is sufficient.
The nurse is planning to administer a nonopioid for pain relief to a child. Which timing should the nurse plan to ensure maximum effect?
- A. 15 minutes until maximum effect
- B. 30 minutes until maximum effect
- C. 1 hour until maximum effect
- D. 1 1/2 hours until maximum effect
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide safe and effective pain relief when dosed at appropriate levels with adequate frequency. Most NSAIDs take about 1 hour for effect, so timing is crucial.
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