Melissa is a 19-year-old patient who is being hospitalized with a ...

[MirandaLo]

Melissa is a 19-year-old patient who is being hospitalized with a central nervous system infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics. The medications will be instilled into the subarachnoid space via an epidural catheter.
 
  Why is this the best route of administration for this patient? A. The antibiotic can't pass through the blood-brain barrier.
  B. An epidural has a lower complication rate than an IV.
  C. The epidural can remain in place for several days.
  D. It is a more cost-effective route of administration.

Question 2

A nurse explains the sensation of a needle stick to a patient who needs to have blood drawn. What is this behavioral response to pain?
 
  A. Distraction
  B. Perception
  C. Pain level
  D. Anticipatory guidance

[perkiness]

Answer to Question 1

A
Some membranes serve as barriers to the passage of medications. For example, the blood-brain barrier allows only lipid-soluble medications to pass into the brain and cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore central nervous system infections sometimes require treatment with antibiotics injected directly into the subarachnoid space in the spinal cord.

Answer to Question 2

D
Distraction directs a patient's attention to something else, thus reducing the awareness of pain. A simple way to promote comfort is by removing or preventing painful stimuli. Nurses must be sensitive to a patient's level of discomfort. Patients will report their level of pain using one of several pain scales.