Medical Surgical Nursing NCLEX RN Questions Related

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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.