PHARMACOLOGY
This is the most serious adverse effect a nurse monitors when administering an opioid analgesic.
“What is respiratory depression?”
This is the priority assessment for a patient in the postoperative unit following surgery.
“What is checking airway patency?”
A positive Tinel’s sign at the wrist is commonly associated with this condition, marked by numbness and tingling in the fingers.
“What is carpal tunnel syndrome?”
The order is 50 mg of medication. The available stock is 25 mg tablets.
“What is 2 tablets?”
A client two days post-op with an incision that is warm, red, and painful at 8/10 may be exhibiting signs of this.
“What is infection?”
When instructing a patient on the proper use of sublingual nitroglycerin, the nurse should say to let it dissolve under this.
“What is under the tongue?”
The nurse should do this first when a new, severe postoperative wound infection is suspected and purulent drainage is present.
“What is report it to the healthcare provider?”
When caring for a patient with a new cast who reports severe pain unrelieved by medication, the nurse first checks neurovascular status to rule out this emergency.
“What is compartment syndrome?”
The physician orders 500 mg of a drug, but the available solution is labeled 1 g per 5 mL.
“What is 2.5 mL?”
Pale red or pinkish wound drainage is documented under this term.
“What is serosanguinous drainage?”
To reduce the risk of this complication, a client taking warfarin is advised to use a soft toothbrush and report unusual bruising.
“What is bleeding (or hemorrhage)?”
Four days post-op, an abdominal wound has puffy tissue protruding through separated edges—an urgent complication known by this term.
“What is evisceration?”
A patient with osteoporosis should engage in these exercises to stimulate osteoblast activity and increase bone density.
“What are weight-bearing exercises?”
A client must receive 0.5 g of a medication. The pharmacy dispenses 500 mg tablets.
“What is 1 tablet?”
These wounds heal by “primary intention,” meaning the edges are approximated with minimal scarring.
“What are surgical incisions with well-approximated edges?”
This lab value must be monitored closely when a client is on loop diuretics such as furosemide.
“What is serum potassium?”
These preventative measures—turning, repositioning, and encouraging incentive spirometry—help reduce the risk of this post-op complication.
“What is a respiratory complication (like pneumonia or atelectasis)?”
An elderly client with a hip fracture often presents with this noticeable leg length and alignment change.
“What is shortening and external rotation of the affected leg?”
The provider orders 0.5 grams of ampicillin every 6 hours, and the vial is labeled 250 mg/mL.
“What is 2 mL per dose?”
Removing throw rugs, improving lighting, and clearing pathways are interventions to prevent these accidents in clients with osteoporosis.
“What are falls?”
A nurse is teaching about a transdermal pain patch. This is the key instruction to avoid skin irritation and overdose.
“What is rotating sites (and not cutting the patch)?”
After orthopedic surgery, early ambulation, leg exercises, and compression stockings help prevent this common vascular complication.
“What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?”
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who develop mouth sores, fatigue, and bruising on methotrexate may be experiencing this dangerous adverse effect.
“What is bone marrow suppression?”
A client is prescribed Oxycodone 5 mg every 4 hours PRN, and the tablets on hand are 2.5 mg each.
“What is 2 tablets per dose?”
In a client with fibromyalgia, regular, low-impact exercise and proper rest can help alleviate these two key symptoms.
“What are pain and fatigue?”