Author Question: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is prescribed for a 70-year-old with chronic pain. When the patient reports ... (Read 98 times)

HudsonKB16 · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is prescribed for a 70-year-old with chronic pain. When the patient reports to the nurse that the maximum daily dose of medication does not control the pain, the nurse responds

a. Breakthrough pain can be managed with the addition of another analgesic.
b. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimula-tion (TENS) is often helpful.
c. It sounds as though you have developed a tolerance for acetaminophen.
d. We will need to get your physician to prescribe another analgesic for you.

Question 2

The nurse who works with older patients explains the age-related changes in sleep to a student. Which statements are consistent with this knowledge? (Select all that apply.)

a. The amount of time spent in REM sleep increases.
b. REM sleep is interrupted more by awa-kening at night.
c. People spend more time in the lightest stage of sleep.
d. Stages 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep are not as deep.
e. Changes in circadian rhythm can affect sleep.

flannelavenger · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
The patient needs a comprehensive review of pain strategies, which will probably include changing pain medication. Using the maximum dose of acetaminophen long term can cause liver damage, which is another reason the patient should switch medications if it is not working.

Answer to Question 2

B, C, D, E
As people age, the amount of time spent in REM sleep decreases, and this stage of sleep is inter-rupted more often by waking up at night. Stage 1 is the lightest stage of sleep and people tend to spend more sleep time in this stage as they age. Stages 3 and 4 are not as deep. The decrease in nighttime sleeping and increase in daytime napping can be attributed to alterations in circadian rhythms.