A patient is receiving opioid medication through an epidural ...

[jwb375]

A patient is receiving opioid medication through an epidural infusion. Which action will the nurse take?
 
  a. Restrict fluid intake.
  b. Label the tubing that leads to the epidural catheter.
  c. Apply a gauze dressing to the epidural catheter insertion site.
  d. Ask the nursing assistive personnel to check on the patient at least once every 2 hours.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing pain medications. To which patient does the nurse anticipate administering an opioid fentanyl patch?
 
  a. A 15-year-old adolescent with a fractured femur
  b. A 30-year-old adult with cellulitis
  c. A 50-year-old patient with prostate cancer
  d. An 80-year-old patient with a broken hip

[yeungji]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
To reduce the accidental administration of IV medications into the epidural catheter, the tubing that leads to the epidural catheter needs to be labeled clearly. The epidural insertion site needs to be covered by a transparent dressing to prevent infection and allow the nurse to assess the site. Patients receiving epidural anesthesia need to be monitored every 15 minutes until stabilized and then at least hourly for 12 to 24 hours.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Transdermal fentanyl (patch), which is 100 times more potent than morphine, is available for opioid-tolerant patients with cancer or chronic pain (prostate cancer). It delivers predetermined doses that provide analgesia for up to 72 hours. The other patients are expected to experience acute pain (fractured femur, cellulitis, and broken hip). Therefore, they will most likely benefit from oral or IV opioids for short-term pain relief.

[jwb375]

Thank you!

[yeungji]

Always glad to help...