Author Question: A patient has been experiencing severe chronic pain for 2 months. The nurse anticipates that the ... (Read 83 times)

kfurse · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient has been experiencing severe chronic pain for 2 months. The nurse anticipates that the prescriber will order which medication, which would have a more consistent effect for the patient's chronic pain?

a. Meperidine (Demerol) via patient-controlled analgesia pump
b. Morphine (morphine sulfate) given intravenously
c. Fentanyl (Duragesic) transdermal patch
d. Hydromorphone hydrochloride (Dilaudid) orally

Question 2

A patient who received an inhalation anesthetic is received into the recovery room. A nurse obtains vital signs during the immediate postoperative assessment.

The patient's muscles are tense, and her body temperature is 104 F. The nurse's best action is to
a. administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) as ordered and recheck the temperature in 1 hour.
b. apply a cooling blanket per the agency's protocol.
c. collaborate with the prescriber regarding the risk of malignant hyperthermia.
d. administer diazepam (Valium) for the muscle rigidity.

diana chang · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Fentanyl's half-life is very long; with transdermal application, levels remain steady for 24 to 48 hours.
Demerol is not a long-acting formula because of its short half-life, and it would not be used for chronic pain.
Morphine has a very short half-life and would not be used for chronic pain.
Hydromorphone given orally is not a long-acting formulation and would not be used to manage chronic pain.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Malignant hyperthermia is characterized by muscle rigidity and a profound elevation in temperature. The prescriber should be notified, because malignant hyperthermia is rare but potentially fatal.
Administration of Tylenol may not be sufficient and disregards the muscle rigidity that also is present.
A cooling blanket may not be sufficient and disregards the muscle rigidity that also is present.
Administration of diazepam does not address the hyperthermia that is present.