Author Question: The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a stable patient admitted after a motor vehicle ... (Read 68 times)

Brittanyd9008 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a stable patient admitted after a motor vehicle accident. The patient reports having bad pain. What will the nurse do first?

a. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b. Ask the patient to rate the pain on a 1 to 10 scale.
c. Attempt to determine what type of pain the patient has.
d. Request an order for an intravenous opioid analgesic.

Question 2

The nurse is providing teaching to a patient who will begin taking aspirin to treat arthritis pain. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

a. I should increase fiber and fluids while taking aspirin.
b. I will call my provider if I have abdominal pain.
c. I will drink a full glass of water with each dose.
d. I will notify my provider of ringing in my ears.

Bigfoot1984 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
To ascertain severity of pain, the nurse should ask the patient to rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Further assessments include location and type of pain. Pain medication should be given after the severity of pain is assessed so that an appropriate analgesic may be given.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Aspirin is not constipating, so patients do not need to be counseled to consume extra fluids and fiber. Abdominal pain can occur with gastrointestinal bleeding, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be an early sign of toxicity, so patients should be taught to contact their provider if these occur. Taking a full glass of water with each dose helps minimize gastrointestinal side effects.