Which nursing intervention is priority for the client experiencing acute pain?
- A. Assess the client's verbal and nonverbal behavior.
- B. Wait for the client to request pain medication.
- C. Administer the pain medication on a scheduled basis.
- D. Teach the client to use only imagery every hour for the pain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing verbal and nonverbal behavior determines pain severity and guides treatment, the priority. Waiting, scheduled dosing, or imagery alone delays or limits care.
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Which nursing intervention is the highest priority when administering pain medication to a client experiencing acute pain?
- A. Monitor the client's vital signs.
- B. Verify the time of the last dose.
- C. Check for the client's allergies.
- D. Discuss the pain with the client.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Checking allergies prevents adverse reactions, the highest safety priority. Vital signs, timing, and pain discussion follow.
The client is complaining of left shoulder pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Assess the neurovascular status of the left hand.
- B. Check the medication administration record (MAR).
- C. Ask if the client wants pain medication.
- D. Administer the client's pain medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing neurovascular status rules out referred pain from cardiac or vascular issues, the priority per ABCs. MAR checks, asking about medication, and administration follow.
The PACU nurse is receiving the client from the OR. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Assess the client's breath sounds.
- B. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula.
- C. Take the client's blood pressure.
- D. Monitor the pulse oximeter reading.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing breath sounds ensures airway patency and ventilation, the priority post-OR per ABCs. Oxygen, BP, and pulse oximetry follow airway assessment.
The client has undergone an abdominal perineal resection of the colon for colon cancer with a left lower quadrant colostomy. Which interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Assess the stoma for color every four (4) hours and prn.
- B. Encourage the client to turn, cough, and deep breathe every two (2) hours.
- C. Maintain the head of the bed 30 to 40 degrees elevated at all times.
- D. Auscultate for bowel sounds every four (4) hours.
- E. Administer pain medications sparingly to prevent addiction.
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: Stoma assessment monitors viability, coughing/deep breathing prevents atelectasis, and bowel sound checks assess GI function. HOB elevation is case-specific, and sparing pain medication risks undertreatment.
The client diagnosed with appendicitis has undergone an appendectomy. At two (2) hours postoperative, the nurse takes the vital signs and notes T 102.6°F, P 132, R 26, and BP 92/46. Which interventions should the nurse implement? List in order of priority.
- A. Increase the IV rate.
- B. Notify the health-care provider.
- C. Elevate the foot of the bed.
- D. Check the abdominal dressing.
- E. Determine if the IV antibiotics have been administered.
Correct Answer: C,A,B,D,E
Rationale: 1) Elevate foot of bed (Trendelenburg for hypotension); 2) Notify HCP (fever, tachycardia, hypotension suggest sepsis); 3) Increase IV rate (bolus for hypovolemia); 4) Check dressing (assess bleeding); 5) Confirm antibiotics (treat infection).