Author Question: A nurse is preparing to give a client ketorolac (Toradol) intravenously for pain. Which assessment ... (Read 179 times)

stevenposner · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A nurse is preparing to give a client ketorolac (Toradol) intravenously for pain. Which assessment findings would lead the nurse to consult with the provider?

a. Bilateral lung crackles
b. Hypoactive bowel sounds
c. Self-reported pain of 3/10
d. Urine output of 20 mL/2 hr

Question 2

A nurse on the postoperative inpatient unit receives a hand-off report on four clients using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps. Which client should the nurse see first?

a. Client who appears to be sleeping soundly
b. Client with no bolus request in 6 hours
c. Client who is pressing the button every 10 minutes
d. Client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min

meganlapinski · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Drugs in this category can affect renal function. Clients should be adequately hydrated and demonstrate good renal function prior to administering ketorolac. A urine output of 20 mL/2 hr is well below normal, and the nurse should consult with the provider about the choice of drug. Crackles and hypoactive bowel sounds are not related. A pain report of 3 does not warrant a call to the physician. The medication may be part of a round-the-clock regimen to prevent and control pain and would still need to be given. If the medication is PRN, the nurse can ask the client if he or she still wants it.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Continuous delivery of opioid analgesia can lead to respiratory depression and extreme sedation. A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min is below normal, so the nurse should first check this client. The client sleeping soundly could either be overly sedated or just comfortable and should be checked next. Pressing the button every 10 minutes indicates the client has a high level of pain, but the device has a lockout determining how often a bolus can be delivered. Therefore, the client cannot overdose. The nurse should next assess that client's pain. The client who has not needed a bolus of pain medicine in several hours has well-controlled pain.