Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who just had knee replacement surgery. Which factors will affect ... (Read 76 times)

abern · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient who just had knee replacement surgery. Which factors will affect how the patient experiences pain after this surgery? (Select all that apply.)

a. The patient has had rheumatoid arthritis for the last 16 years.
b. The patient is allergic to aspirin and strawberries.
c. The patient owns a business and is self-insured.
d. The patient has been a vegetarian for the last 8 years.
e. The patient had her other knee replaced 2 years ago.
f.
The patient was a marathon runner in high school and college.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has severe burning pain in his right arm caused by a compressed nerve in his neck.

Which medications can be used along with a narcotic pain reliever to relieve the patient's pain until surgery can be performed to release the nerve? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg PO daily
b.
Amitriptyline (Elavil) 50 mg PO BID
c.
Ondansetron (Zofran) 8 mg PO q 4 hours PRN
d.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) 400 mg PO BID
e.
Senna (Senokot) 8.6 mg PO daily
f.
Naloxone (Narcan) 0.4 mg IV now, may repeat in 1 hour PRN

duke02 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, E, F
The patient's history of rheumatoid arthritis, previous knee replacement surgery and marathon running indicate that the patient has had significant experience dealing with pain, which will affect how she experiences pain after this surgery. The other factors will not affect how the patient experiences pain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B, D
Tricyclic antidepressants like Elavil and anticonvulsants like Neurontin are often used to treat neuropathic pain because they work directly on the nervous system. They may be given along with narcotic pain medication to make the patient comfortable. Senokot will relieve constipation and Benadryl will relieve itching. Zofran is used to relieve nausea and vomiting whereas Narcan will reverse narcotic-induced respiratory suppression.