A postoperative patient has orders for morphine sulfate 1 to 2 mg ...

[2125004343]

A postoperative patient has orders for morphine sulfate 1 to 2 mg IV every 1 hour PRN for severe pain and acetaminophen-hydrocodone Lortab 7.5 mg PO every 4 to 6 hours PRN for moderate pain.
 
  The patient reports pain at a level of 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Administer acetaminophen-hydrocodone 7.5 mg PO every 4 hours.
  b. Administer acetaminophen-hydrocodone 7.5 mg PO every 6 hours and change to every 4 hours if not effective.
  c. Administer morphine sulfate 1 mg IV every 1 hour until pain subsides.
  d. Administer morphine sulfate 2 mg IV and evaluate the patient's pain in 15 to 30 mi-nutes.

Question 2

A nurse is discussing the use of cocaine as a local anesthetic with a nursing student. Which statement by the student indicates understanding of this agent?
 
  a. Anesthetic effects develop slowly and persist for several hours.
  b. Cocaine is a local anesthetic administered by injection.
  c. Vasoconstrictors should not be used as adjunct agents with this drug.
  d. When abused, cocaine causes physical dependence.

[flannelavenger]

Answer to Question 1

D
With PRN medications, the schedule is not fixed and the administration of these medications depends on the patient's condition. It is the nurse's responsibility to assess the patient's condition and then give the appropriate PRN medication. In this case, the patient has severe pain and should receive MS IV. Either 1 mg or 2 mg may be given, but the nurse must evaluate the effec-tiveness of the pain medication within 15 to 30 minutes to help determine subsequent doses. Acetaminophen-hydrocodone is not appropriate because it is ordered for moderate pain and this patient reports severe pain. Giving MS IV every hour is not appropriate for a PRN medication unless the patient's condition warrants it.

Answer to Question 2

C
Cocaine should not be combined with epinephrine or other vasoconstrictors, because it causes vasoconstriction itself, and the combination could precipitate severe hypertension. Cocaine has a rapid onset of effects, which last about 1 hour. It is used only topically for anesthesia. Although subject to widespread abuse with profound psychologic dependence, it does not cause substantial physical dependence.

[2125004343]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[flannelavenger]

Great! Please up vote