A client has renal colic due to renal lithiasis. What is the nurse's first priority in managing care for this client?
- A. I need to know the client to ingest fluids.
- B. Encourage the client to drink at least 500 mL of water each hour.
- C. Request the central supply department to send supplies for straining urine.
- D. Administer an opioid analgesic as prescribed.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe pain from renal colic is the priority, requiring opioid analgesics for immediate relief to improve client comfort and cooperation.
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A 52-year-old male was discharged from the hospital for cancer-related pain. His pain appeared to be well controlled on the I.V. morphine. He was switched to oral morphine when discharged 2 days ago. He now reports his pain as an 8 on a 10-point scale and wants the I.V. morphine. Which of the following represents the most likely explanation for the client's reports of inadequate pain control?
- A. He is addicted to the I.V. morphine.
- B. He is going through withdrawal from the I.V. opioid.
- C. He is physically dependent on the I.V. morphine.
- D. He is undermedicated on the oral opioid.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Inadequate pain control after switching to oral morphine likely indicates undermedication, possibly due to incorrect equianalgesic dosing (oral morphine requires a higher dose than I.V. due to first-pass metabolism).
A 60-year-old male client comes into the emergency department with a complaint of crushing substernal chest pain that radiates to his shoulder and left arm. The admitting diagnosis is acute myocardial infarction (MI). Immediate admission orders include oxygen by nasal cannula at 4 L/minute, blood work, a chest radiograph, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), and 2 mg of morphine sulfate given I.V. The nurse should first:
- A. Administer the morphine.
- B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
- C. Obtain the blood work.
- D. Order the chest radiograph.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering morphine first relieves pain, reducing myocardial oxygen demand and stabilizing the client. ECG and blood work follow to confirm diagnosis, but pain management is the priority.
The nurse is planning care for a group of clients who have had total hip replacement. Of the clients listed below, which is at highest risk for infection and should be assessed first?
- A. A 55-year-old client who is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 lb.
- B. A 75-year-old who lives alone.
- C. A 74-year-old who has periodontal disease with periodontitis.
- D. A 75-year-old who has asthma and uses an inhaler.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Periodontal disease increases infection risk due to potential bacterial spread to the prosthesis.
Which complication should the nurse monitor for in a client with a new ileal conduit?
- A. Stoma prolapse.
- B. Urinary retention.
- C. Bladder spasms.
- D. Renal colic.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stoma prolapse is a potential complication of an ileal conduit, requiring surgical correction if severe.
A client undergoing a bilateral adrenalectomy has postoperative orders for hydromorphone hydrochloride (Dilaudid) 2 mg to be given subcutaneously every 4 hours as needed for pain. The medication is administered in relatively small doses primarily because it is:
- A. Less likely to cause dependency in small doses.
- B. Less irritating to subcutaneous tissues in small doses.
- C. As potent as most other analgesics in larger doses.
- D. Excreted before accumulating in toxic amounts in the body.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hydromorphone is a potent opioid, effective in small doses, reducing the need for larger doses that increase side effect risks.
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