A 67-year-old woman presents at the emergency department with ...

[WhattoUnderstand]

A 67-year-old woman presents at the emergency department with symptoms that suggest possible abuse of a narcotic analgesic. To best assure the patient's safe care, the nurse asks
 
  a. When did you first start using the anal-gesic?
  b. Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms before?
  c. Why did you initially need an analgesic?
  d. What prescribed drugs are you currently taking?

Question 2

A patient was admitted for heart failure, and over the past 3 days the patient's brain natriuretic peptide has decreased. What action by the nurse is best?
 
  a. Prepare to administer extra diuretics.
  b. Continue with the plan of care.
  c. Prepare to intubate and ventilate the pa-tient.
  d. Discuss end-of-life care with the patient.

[kusterl]

Answer to Question 1

D
First, if prescription drug abuse is suspected, the nurse should ask the patient or a family member to identify all medications that the patient is currently using. The nurse and physician can then plan for safe detoxification. In addition, the physician can try to prevent any untoward drug inte-ractions resulting from prescribing a new medication that is contraindicated because of an exist-ing prescription.

Answer to Question 2

B
A decreasing BNP indicates less fluid volume in the heart, indicating that treatment measures for CHF are working. The nurse continues with the plan of are. The other actions are not needed.

[WhattoUnderstand]

TYSM

[atrochim]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it