Author Question: When assessing a patient for signs and symptoms of early respiratory depression immediately after ... (Read 62 times)

justinmsk · **on:** Jul 24, 2018

When assessing a patient for signs and symptoms of early respiratory depression immediately after leaving the postoperative area, the nurse will be alert for signs of what? (Select all that apply.)

a. Restlessness
b. Anxiety
c. Lethargy
d. Increased mental alertness
e. Cyanosis

Question 2

An employee at a factory has not been to work because of low back muscle spasms. His wife contacts the occupational health nurse to report that her spouse is on a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant and is having problems with sleepiness.

Based on the medication action, what will the nurse tell her? (Select all that apply.)
a. The health care provider should be notified because these drugs are contraindicated in the treatment of low back pain.
b. Your husband should avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving or operating power equipment.
c. I need additional and specific information regarding the amount of your husband's sedation.
d. I will review baseline laboratory studies, discuss your husband's status with the health care provider, and call you back.
e. Sedation is an adverse effect of these medications and tends to resolve with continued therapy.

Anna · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, B, C
Early signs of diminished ventilation include restlessness, anxiety, lethargy, decreased mental alertness, and headache. Increased mental alertness is not an early sign of respiratory depression. Cyanosis is a late sign of respiratory complications.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B, C, D, E
Patients should be instructed to avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, for safety. When obtaining patient information regarding adverse effects, additional information may be needed to fully assess the degree of adverse effects the patient may be experiencing. Review of baseline liver and kidney function and CBC laboratory data is necessary. Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relieve acute muscle spasm. They act on the CNS, and sedation may be an adverse effect associated with usage. This tends to be mild and will resolve with continued use. These drugs are indicated for the treatment of low back pain.