Author Question: A client who is on the second postoperative day has opioid pain medication changed from intravenous ... (Read 50 times)

sc00by25 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A client who is on the second postoperative day has opioid pain medication changed from intravenous to the oral route. What should the nurse anticipate when caring for this client? (Select all that apply.)

1. Evaluate the client's ability to swallow.
2. The client can go to the cafeteria to eat.
3. The oral dose will be higher.
4. The client now can have visitors.
5. Pain level checks can be done less frequently.

Question 2

A client with joint pain insists that the nurse assist with obtaining a prescription for narcotics for the pain. The client is highly anxious and tense. What should the nurse suggest to help this client's pain?

1. Relaxation and guided imagery to help with relaxation
2. A prescription for narcotics
3. Acetaminophen for the pain
4. An appointment with a psychiatrist

dlook33 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1; 3

1. The nurse should assess the client's ability to swallow before administering oral medications.
2. The route of pain medication is unrelated to the client's ability to go to the cafeteria.
3. The oral dose for morphine is higher than the IV dose because the absorption rate is slower.
4. A hospitalized client usually can have visitors at any time.
5. A client with pain is routinely assessed, regardless of the type of medication given.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1

1. For the client who is experiencing pain and who is emotionally distraught, the nurse might teach the client relaxation and guided imagery as means of decreasing pain. Emotional distress can increase the perception of pain.
2. Narcotics are not the usual treatment for chronic joint pain. It would be appropriate to treat chronic cancer pain with narcotics.
3. The nurse does not recommend medications to the client; the physician does.
4. The client eventually might need counseling, but the nurse can explore with the client the reason for the emotional upset and can suggest methods to help the client relax before suggesting counseling.