A client with stage IV bone cancer is admitted to the hospital for pain control. The client verbalizes continuous, severe pain of 8 on a 0 to 10 scale. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Administer opioid and non-opioid medication simultaneously.
Alternate IV and IM analgesic medications.
Give maximum dosage when score reaches 10.
Educate the client on signs and symptoms of narcotic dependency.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Administering opioid and non-opioid medications together is an effective pain management strategy for severe pain. This approach can provide better pain relief by targeting different pain pathways and may reduce the total dosage of opioids needed, thus minimizing side effects.
B. Alternating IV and IM analgesic medications is not the best approach; instead, consistent pain management is necessary to keep pain levels under control.
C. Waiting until the pain score reaches 10 before administering the maximum dosage is inappropriate and could lead to inadequate pain control. Pain management should be proactive, not reactive.
D. While educating the client on narcotic dependency is important, it is not the priority intervention in this acute situation where pain control is essential. The immediate focus should be on effective pain relief.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Discontinuing the infusion may lead to increased clotting and potential obstruction of the catheter. Continuous bladder irrigation is essential to keep the bladder clear of clots and debris following surgery.
B. Manually irrigating the catheter can help clear any clots that may be obstructing the catheter, ensuring adequate drainage and preventing complications such as bladder distention or retention. This is the most immediate and appropriate action to take in response to the presence of clots.
C. Monitoring catheter drainage is important; however, it does not address the potential issue of clots obstructing the flow of urine, which is the priority concern in this scenario.
D. Decreasing the flow rate may not be beneficial and could lead to inadequate irrigation of the bladder, which could exacerbate clot formation and urinary retention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While bowel sounds can indicate gastrointestinal activity, they do not directly correlate with pain management or the underlying cause of abdominal discomfort in chronic pancreatitis.
B. The level and amount of physical activity may impact overall well-being but are less directly related to the management of abdominal pain from pancreatitis.
C. The color and consistency of feces can provide some information regarding pancreatic function and fat absorption but is not the most immediate factor affecting pain management.
D. Understanding the client’s eating patterns, including food triggers and timing, is crucial because certain foods can exacerbate abdominal pain in chronic pancreatitis. Dietary adjustments can significantly help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.