A patient has been taking methadone (Dolophine) for 5 months to ...

[kaid0807]

A patient has been taking methadone (Dolophine) for 5 months to overcome an opioid addiction. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following electrocardiographi c changes?
 
  a. Prolonged QT interval
  b. Prolonged P-R interval
  c. AV block
  d. An elevated QRS complex

Question 2

A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery and is teaching the patient about the use of the patient-controlled analgesia pump. The patient voices concern about becoming addicted to morphine. What will the nurse do?
 
  a. Ask the patient about any previous drug or alcohol abuse.
  b. Discuss possible nonopioid options for postoperative pain control.
  c. Suggest that the patient use the PCA sparingly.
  d. Tell the patient that the pump can be programmed for PRN dosing only.

[JaynaD87]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Methadone prolongs the QT interval. It does not prolong the P-R interval, cause AV block, or produce an elevated QRS complex.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The nurse should remember that addiction to opioids usually occurs in patients who already have tendencies for addiction, so an assessment of previous experiences with addictive substances would be indicated. Postoperative pain should be treated appropriately with medications that are effective. Nonopioid medications are not sufficient to treat postoperative pain. Patients should be encouraged to use the PCA as needed so that pain can be controlled in a timely fashion. PRN dosing is not as effective as dosing that is continuous, so a basal dose should be given as well as a PRN dose.

[kaid0807]

TYSM

[ryhom]

Excellent