A patient, age 22, is admitted with acute asthma. It is important ...

[futuristic]

A patient, age 22, is admitted with acute asthma. It is important to monitor his oxygen saturation levels. The quickest way to assess his saturation of oxygen is to
 
  a. get arterial blood gases.
  b. use pulse oximetry.
  c. do a pulse pressure assessment.
  d. do a pulmonary function test.

Question 2

A patient with a primary diagnosis of lung cancer developed bone metastases in recent months and experienced excruciating pain.
 
  As a result, the patient was treated with a combination of continuous-release and immediate-release morphine delivered by the oral route. Since yesterday, the patient has experienced a decreased level of consciousness and has become unable to swallow. How should the nurse best manage this patient's analgesia?
  A) Opioids should be discontinued because of the patient's decreased level of consciousness.
  B) The patient should receive similar doses of morphine by alternative routes.
  C) The patient's morphine should be reduced and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) introduced.
  D) Analgesia should be discontinued because the patient's decreased level of consciousness indicates that his pain has subsided.

[Jevvish]

Answer to Question 1

B
In acute asthma, oxygen therapy should be started immediately, and its administration should be monitored by pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry is noninvasive and provides continuous monitoring of SaO2.

Answer to Question 2

B