The patient comes to the emergency department with a head injury, ...

[sjones]

The patient comes to the emergency department with a head injury, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. Opioid analgesics are contraindicated. What does the nurse recognize as the primary rationale for this?
 
  1. The use of opioid analgesics will depress the patient's blood pressure.
  2. The patient may not be able to communicate his level of pain.
  3. Opioids will not effectively relieve pain in the patient's periphery.
  4. Opioids can mask changes in the patient's level of consciousness.

Question 2

What is a priority assessment question to ask a postsurgical patient prior to administration of an opioid analgesic?
 
  1. Have you ever been addicted to prescription pain medications?
  2. Why do you want to receive this pain medication?
  3. Would you like me to help you change your position for comfort?
  4. Would you please rate your pain on a scale of 1-to-10?

[juicepod]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Opioids are central nervous system (CNS) depressants and can mask the patient's level of consciousness; this is dangerous when the patient has a head injury. Depression of blood pressure could occur, but this is not as critical as level of consciousness. The patient may not be able to determine his level of pain, but this is not as critical as level of consciousness. Opioids do not effectively relieve pain in the patient's periphery, but this is not as critical as level of consciousness.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The nurse should always assess the patient's level of pain prior to the administration of an analgesic. Asking a postsurgical patient why a pain medication is requested does not make a lot of sense. Administration of pain medication postsurgery is a priority; this is not the time to assess if the patient has an addiction. Offering to help a postsurgical patient change positions is appropriate, but should be done after the patient receives the pain medication.

[sjones]

Excellent

[cam1229]

Gracias!