Nokea
A patient is receiving gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant, but has no history of seizures. The nurse expects that the patient is receiving this drug for which condition?
- A. Inflammation pain
- B. Pain associated with peripheral neuropathy
- C. Depression associated with chronic pain
- D. Prevention of seizures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticonvulsants are often used as adjuvants for treatment of neuropathic pain to enhance analgesic efficacy. The other indications listed are not correct.
You may also like to solve these questions
The drug nalbuphine is an agonist-antagonist (partial agonist). The nurse understands that which is a characteristic of partial agonists?
- A. They have anti-inflammatory effects.
- B. They are given to reverse the effects of opiates.
- C. They have a higher potency than agonists.
- D. They have a lower dependency potential than agonists.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Partial agonists such as nalbuphine are similar to the opioid agonists in terms of their therapeutic indications; however, they have a lower risk of misuse and addiction. They do not have anti-inflammatory effects, nor are they given to reverse the effects of opiates. They do not have a higher potency than agonists.
A 16-year-old field hockey player fell and twisted her ankle during a game. The nurse will expect to administer which type of analgesic?
- A. Synthetic opioid, such as meperidine
- B. Opium alkaloid, such as morphine sulfate
- C. Opioid antagonist, such as naloxone HCL
- D. Nonopioid analgesics, such as indomethacin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Somatic pain, which originates from skeletal muscles, ligaments, and joints, usually responds to nonopioid analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The other options are not the best choices for somatic pain.
A patient had abdominal surgery this morning. The patient is groggy but complaining of severe pain around the incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient?
- A. The patient's pulse rate
- B. The patient's respiratory rate
- C. The appearance of the incision
- D. The date of the patient's last bowel movement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One of the most serious adverse effects of opioids is respiratory depression. The nurse must assess the patient's respiratory rate before administering an opioid. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse is assessing a patient who has been admitted to the emergency department for a possible opioid overdose. Which assessment finding is characteristic of an opioid drug overdose?
- A. Dilated pupils
- B. Restlessness
- C. Respiration rate of 6 breaths/min
- D. Heart rate of 55 beats/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most serious adverse effect of opioid use is CNS depression, which may lead to respiratory depression. Pinpoint pupils, not dilated pupils, are seen. Restlessness and a heart rate of 55 beats/min are not indications of an opioid overdose.
A 38-year-old man has come into the urgent care center with severe hip pain after falling from a ladder at work. He says he has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but cannot remember how many he has taken. He hands the nurse an empty bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The nurse is aware that the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen overdose is which condition?
- A. Tachycardia
- B. Central nervous system depression
- C. Hepatic necrosis
- D. Nephropathy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hepatic necrosis is the most serious acute toxic effect of an acute overdose of acetaminophen. The other options are incorrect.