Nokea
The opioid Vicodin (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) is prescribed for a patient who has had surgery. The nurse informs the patient that which common adverse effects can occur with this medication?
- A. Diarrhea
- B. Constipation
- C. Lightheadedness
- D. Nervousness
- E. Urinary retention
- F. Itching
Correct Answer: B,C,E,F
Rationale: Constipation (not diarrhea), lightheadedness (not nervousness), urinary retention, and itching are some of the common adverse effects that the patient may experience while taking opioids such as Vicodin.
You may also like to solve these questions
A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 breaths/minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time?
- A. Assessment of the patient's pain level
- B. Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
- C. Administration of naloxone (Narcan)
- D. Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, such as respiratory depression. The patient's symptoms of lethargy and shallow respirations at 7 breaths/minute indicate a potential opioid overdose, making naloxone administration the priority action. The other options are not appropriate in this urgent situation.
A patient is to receive methadone 2.5 mg intramuscularly (IM) now. The medication is available in a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Identify how many milliliters of methadone will be drawn up for this dose.
Correct Answer: 0.25 mL
Rationale: 10 mg : 1 mL :: 2.5 mg : x mL; (10 * x) = (1 * 2.5); 10x = 2.5; x = 0.25 mL.
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 57-year-old woman being treated for end-stage breast cancer has been using a transdermal opioid analgesic as part of the management of pain. Lately, she has been experiencing breakthrough pain. The nurse expects this type of pain to be managed by which of these interventions?
- A. Administering NSAIDs
- B. Administering an immediate-release opioid
- C. Changing the opioid route to the rectal route
- D. Making no changes to the current therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a patient is taking long-acting opioid analgesics, breakthrough pain must be treated with an immediate-release dosage form that is given between scheduled doses of the long-acting opioid. The other options are not appropriate actions.
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.