Author Question: A nurse is administering an opioid medication to a child. Which side effects should the nurse watch ... (Read 49 times)

Bernana · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

A nurse is administering an opioid medication to a child. Which side effects should the nurse watch for with this classification of medication? Select all that apply.

a. Respiratory depression
b. Hepatic damage
c. Constipation
d. Pruritus
e. Gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 2

When assessing pain in any child, the nurse should consider which information?

a. Any pain assessment tool can be used to assess pain in children.
b. Children as young as age 1 year use words to express pain.
c. The child's behavioral, physiological, and verbal responses are valuable when assessing pain.
d. Pain assessment tools are minimally effective for communicating about pain.

bpool94 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A, C, D
The nurse should remember opioids can produce sedation and respiratory depression, in addition to analgesia. Other adverse effects can include constipation, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, cough suppression, and urinary retention. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is associated with hepatic damage and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Answer to Question 2

C
Children's behavioral, physiological, and verbal responses are indicative when assessing pain. The use of pain measurement tools greatly assists in communicating about pain. The child's age is important in determining the appropriate pain assessment tool to use. Developmentally appropriate assessment tools need to be used to effectively identify and determine the level of pain felt by a child. Toddlers may use words such as ouch or hurt to identify pain, but infants and young children may not have the language or cognitive abilities to express pain. Pain assessment tools when used appropriately are successful and efficient in identifying and quantifying pain with children. Behavioral and physiological signs and symptoms in combination with pain assessment tools are most effective in diagnosing pain levels in children.