Author Question: A patient brought to the emergency department for oxycodone overdose has a respiratory rate of 8 and ... (Read 81 times)

anjilletteb · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient brought to the emergency department for oxycodone overdose has a respiratory rate of 8 and is difficult to arouse. What is the priority nursing intervention?

1. Administering activated charcoal
2. Administering an opioid agonist
3. Administering an opioid antagonist
4. Preparing for intubation and mechanical ventilation

Question 2

The patient has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is admitted for initial heparin therapy. Which orders would the nurse want to validate with the physician?

1. Heparin 1000 units intravenous (IV) every 6 hours
2. Tylenol as needed (PRN) for headaches
3. Obtaining a daily weight on the patient
4. Advil as needed (PRN) for headaches
5. Low vitamin K diet

lindahyatt42 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3
Rationale 1: Administering activated charcoal is not indicated when the patient is nonresponsive.
Rationale 2: Opioid agonists are used to relieve pain. Additional medications would worsen the situation.
Rationale 3: Opioid antagonists such as naloxone (Narcan) block opioid activity.
Rationale 4: Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary, but another intervention takes priority.
Global Rationale: Opioid antagonists such as naloxone (Narcan) block opioid activity. Administering activated charcoal is not indicated when the patient is nonresponsive. Opioid agonists are used to relieve pain. Additional medications would worsen the situation. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be necessary, but another intervention takes priority.

Answer to Question 2

1,4,5
Rationale 1: 1000 units of heparin is a sub-therapeutic dose.
Rationale 2: There isn't any contraindication with heparin and Tylenol.
Rationale 3: Daily weights are necessary to determine medication dosage.
Rationale 4: Advil could increase the risk of bleeding.
Rationale 5: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose; there is no need to restrict it with heparin therapy.
Global Rationale: Advil could increase the risk of bleeding. 1000 units of heparin is a sub-therapeutic dose. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose; there is no need to restrict it with heparin therapy. Daily weights are necessary to determine medication dosage. There isn't any contraindication with heparin and Tylenol.