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When should a nurse administer prescribed analgesic medication when treating a postoperative patient?
- A. Before activity
- B. Only when requested by the health care provider
- C. Only when requested by the family
- D. Only when requested by the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To control pain early, an analgesic should be given 30 to 40 minutes before a patient must walk or perform an activity. PRN medications should be given around the clock to effectively control moderately severe to severe pain. Waiting for the patient or family to request analgesics results in delays in administration and inadequate pain control.
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The nurse should administer an analgesic to an unconscious patient after observing which signs?
- A. Increased heart rate from 82 to 94
- B. Decreased systolic blood pressure
- C. Increased muscle tension
- D. Perspiration on upper lip
- E. Facial grimacing
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Pain indicators in the unconscious patient might include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension; diaphoresis; and grimacing.
The nurse is aware that the state at which a person is mentally relaxed free from worry and is physically calm is ___.
Correct Answer: rest
Rationale: When a person is mentally relaxed, free from worry, and is physically calm, he or she is at rest.
A patient is receiving epidural analgesics. What should the nurse monitor closely in this patient?
- A. Temperature elevation from 98°F to 99.2°F (36.6°C to 37.3°C)
- B. Increase in pulse rate from 88 to 99
- C. Decrease in respirations from 16 to 14
- D. Decrease in blood pressure from 120/80 to 110/68
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Administering epidural analgesics requires close monitoring for respiratory depression. None of the other options is indicative of opiate toxicity.
What is the best approach for a nurse to use when planning pain relief measures?
- A. Use a variety of pain relief methods.
- B. Use only nonopioid analgesics.
- C. Use at least three alternating methods.
- D. Use only one method at a time.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A variety of methods applied simultaneously have an additive effect on pain control.
Why should a nurse promptly administer a prescribed analgesic after a pain assessment?
- A. The health care provider has ordered it.
- B. It is an efficient use of time.
- C. Unrelieved pain can cause setbacks.
- D. It meets the goals of the nursing care plan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Appropriate pain management can bring about quicker recoveries, shorter hospital stays, fewer readmissions, and can improve the quality of life.