The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is ...

[stephzh]

The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is experiencing sweating, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure. The nurse recognizes these symptoms are due to:
 
  1. phantom pain.
  2. acute pain.
  3. chronic pain.
  4. postoperative shock.

Question 2

The nurse is assisting with the discharge of a client who will be taking narcotics at home for 1 week. What should the nurse include when teaching the client about this medication?
 
  1. Methods to prevent constipation
  2. Slowly decrease the dose at home.
  3. Stop the medication if desired.
  4. Exercise caution when driving.

[stallen]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 2

1. Phantom limb pain occurs after surgical or traumatic amputation of a limb.
2. The tissue injury caused from surgery produces acute pain and initiates the fight-or-flight response, resulting in physical responses of sweating, pallor, tachycardia, and blood pressure increase.
3. Chronic pain is prolonged pain or pain that persists after the condition causing it has resolved. There may not be an identifiable cause, and often it is unresponsive to conventional medical treatment.
4. Additional information would be needed before determining if the client is experiencing postoperative shock.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1

1. Narcotics slow down the intestines, and can cause constipation, so the nurse teaches the client preventative measures.
2. The client should contact the nurse or physician for assessment before decreasing the medication dose.
3. The client should be cautioned against stopping the drug, because a narcotic is prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Stopping the medication makes it more difficult to achieve relief when pain returns.
4. The client should be instructed about basic safety when taking narcotics, which includes no driving.

[stephzh]

Excellent

[scikid]

TYSM