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A patient complains of incision pain after surgery. Two pain medications are ordered: Meperidine (Demerol) 75 mg for moderate to severe pain and hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Lortab) 7.5/500 mg for mild to moderate pain. The patient rates her pain at a 5 on a 0 to 10 scale. Her vital signs are T 98.8, P 86, R 14, and BP 104/60. Your next action would be to
- A. Administer the Demerol prescribed for moderate to severe pain.
- B. Instruct the patient to wait an hour for her pain medication to see if her blood pressure increases.
- C. Administer Lortab prescribed for mild to moderate pain.
- D. Administer 1 dose of Demerol and 1 dose of Lortab together to relieve her pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A pain rating of 5 is mild to moderate, so Lortab is appropriate. Demerol is for more severe pain, and combining both is unsafe. Waiting an hour delays pain relief unnecessarily.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which medication would be administered via the nasal route?
- A. Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
- B. Nicotine (Nicotrol)
- C. Timolol (Timoptic)
- D. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
- E. Steroids (Rhinocort)
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Nicotine (Nicotrol), calcitonin (Miacalcin), and steroids (Rhinocort) are nasal medications. Guaifenesin is oral, and timolol is ophthalmic.
Rectal suppositories are contraindicated in patients with
- A. High potassium levels.
- B. Swollen, inflamed hemorrhoids.
- C. Constipation.
- D. A recent heart attack.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Swollen, inflamed hemorrhoids contraindicate rectal suppositories due to pain and potential bleeding. Other conditions are not contraindications.
You are preparing to administer a liquid suspension. What must you do first?
- A. Shake the bottle well to mix the medication with the liquid.
- B. Measure the medication and have it checked by another licensed person.
- C. Rotate the bottle carefully between the palms to mix it.
- D. Clean the lid of the bottle with an alcohol swab before opening it.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Liquid suspensions settle over time, so shaking the bottle well ensures the medication is evenly distributed before measuring.
Which of the following will you include when teaching the mother of a 2-year-old how to administer ear drops?
- A. Pull the pinna up and back to straighten the ear canal.
- B. Pull the pinna down and back to straighten the ear canal.
- C. Aim the dropper so the drop rolls down the wall of the canal.
- D. Avoid touching the dropper to the ear to prevent pathogens from entering the bottle of medication.
- E. Have the child remain in position with the affected ear up for at least 10 minutes.
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: For children under 3, pull the pinna down and back (B). Drops should roll down the canal wall (C), and avoid touching the dropper to prevent contamination (D). Remaining in position for 10 minutes (E) is excessive.
To administer an eye drop, you will place the drop in the
- A. Inner canthus of the eye.
- B. Outer canthus of the eye.
- C. Middle part of the lower conjunctival sac.
- D. Middle of the eye, directly onto the pupil.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placing eye drops in the lower conjunctival sac ensures proper absorption and minimizes discomfort or corneal damage.