Exam 20: Clients with Pain

A client with end-stage cancer is on a continuous IV of morphine to control intractable pain. The family is concerned that the client has a decreasing level of consciousness and has shallow respirations. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A postoperative client has liberal orders for pain medication and the nurse is delivering them on a strict schedule. The client denies pain when assessed but appears worried, is fidgeting in bed, cries occasionally, and uses the call light frequently for "minor" requests. When analyzing this situation, which component of the pain medication plan might the nurse discover needs revision?

A client who had surgery refuses pain medication. The nurse assessing this client would first ask questions regarding the client's (select all that apply)

The nurse instructs the client taking ibuprofen that the drug is effective for pain relief because it acts to

A client with metastatic cancer is being dismissed to home health care. The client's orders include both a long-acting opioid analgesic and a short-acting analgesic for breakthrough pain. In addition, the client will be taking an NSAID every 8 hours. The client's spouse is very upset with these directions and voices concern to the nurse that the client "will become an addict." Which information will best help the spouse and client maintain the medication schedule? The nurse should

To provide the best care to a client having pain, the nurse must assess which information in addition to using a pain measuring scale?

A client is receiving intravenous morphine every hour for severe pain. The nurse assesses the client and notes a blood pressure of (90/70) mm Hg, pulse rate of 90 beats/min, and respirations of 6 breaths/min. Which action by the nurse takes priority? The nurse should

A postoperative client that recently returned from surgery has a morphine PCA pump. The basal rate is ordered to be 1 mg/hour and the patient can have a 1-mg bolus every 15 minutes. When the nurse assesses the client, the nurse finds the client stuporous, hard to arouse, with a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/minute. After successfully treating the client, which action by the nurse takes priority? The nurse should

Two days after a cholecystectomy the client is kept comfortable with oral NSAIDs. The client's spouse asks the nurse why the client is not receiving something stronger, saying, "I know the procedure causes a lot of pain because I also had my gallbladder removed." The nurse's answer is based on the fact that