Chapter 10: Analgesic Drugs Flashcards
What is the most serious adverse effect of acetaminophen?
a. ototoxicity
b. nephrotoxicity
c. hepatotoxicity
d. musculoskeletal toxicity
c. hepatotoxicity
What is the most dangerous drug interaction with acetaminophen?
a. benzodiazepine
b. propranolol
c. tramadol
d. alcohol
d. alcohol
For best results when treating severe, constant pain associated with pathologic spinal fractures related to metastatic bone cancer, the nurse should remember that the best type of dosage schedule is to administer the pain medication is which of these?
a. As needed
b. When requested by the patient
c. On schedule during waking hours only
d. Around the clock, with additional doses as needed for breakthrough pain
d. Around the clock, with additional doses as needed for breakthrough pain
A patient is receiving an opioid by a PCA pump as part of his postoperative pain management program. During rounds, the nurse finds him unresponsive, with respirations of 8 breaths/min and blood pressure of 102/58 mm Hg. After stopping the opioid infusion, what should the nurse do next?
a. Notify the charge nurse.
b. Draw arterial blood gases.
c. Administer an opiate antagonist per standing orders.
d. Perform a thorough assessment, including mental status examination.
c. Administer an opiate antagonist per standing orders.
A patient with bone pain caused by metastatic cancer will be receiving transdermal fentanyl patches. The patient asks the nurse what benefits these patches have. The nurse’s best response includes which of these features?
a. More constant drug levels for analgesia
b. Less constipation and minimal dry mouth
c. Less drowsiness than with oral opioids
d. Lower dependency potential and no major adverse effects
a. More constant drug levels for analgesia
Intravenous morphine is prescribed for a patient who has had surgery. The nurse informs the patient that which common adverse effects can occur with this medication? (SATA)
a. Diarrhea
b. Constipation
c. Pruritus
d. Urinary frequency
e. Nausea
b. Constipation
c. Pruritus
e. Nausea
Several patients have standard orders for acetaminophen as needed for pain. While reviewing their histories and assessments, the nurse discovers that one of the patients has a contraindication to acetaminophen therapy. Which patient should receive an alternative medication?
a. A patient with a fever of 103.4° F (39.7° C)
b. A patient admitted with deep vein thrombosis
c. A patient admitted with severe hepatitis
d. A patient who had abdominal surgery 1 week earlier
c. A patient admitted with severe hepatitis
An opioid analgesic is prescribed for a patient. The nurse checks the patient’s medical history knowing this medication is contraindicated in which disorder? (SATA)
a. Renal insufficiency
b. Severe asthma
c. Sleep apnea
d. Severe head injury
e. Liver disease
b. Severe asthma
c. Sleep apnea
d. Severe head injury
A patient with renal cancer needs an opiate for pain control. Which opioid medication would be the safest choice for this patient?
a. fentanyl
b. hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
c. morphine sulfate
d. methadone (Dolophine)
d. methadone (Dolophine)
During a marathon, a runner had to drop out after 16 miles because of severe muscle spasms. Which type of pain is the runner experiencing?
a. Chronic pain
b. Somatic pain
c. Visceral pain
d. Superficial pain
b. Somatic pain
A young man has been taken to the emergency department because of a suspected overdose of morphine tablets. The nurse prepares to administer which drug?
a. Atropine
b. Activated charcoal
c. Flumazenil
d. Naloxone
d. Naloxone
An anticonvulsant drug has been ordered as part of a patient’s pain management program. The nurse explains to the patient that the purpose of the anti-convulsant is to
a. produce sleep.
b. prevent seizures.
c. relieve neuropathic pain.
d. reduce anxiety.
c. relieve neuropathic pain.
Moderate to severe pain is best treated with which medication?
a. Acetaminophen
b. Aspirin
c. Alprazolam
d. Fentanyl
d. Fentanyl
The nurse is preparing to administer an opioid analgesic. Which factors should be assessed before the dose is given? (Select all that apply.)
a. Blood clotting times
b. The level of pain rated on a scale
c. Prior analgesic use (time, type, amount, and effectiveness)
d. Dietary history
e. Allergies
b. The level of pain rated on a scale
c. Prior analgesic use (time, type, amount, and effectiveness)
e. Allergies
When evaluating the patient’s drug history, the nurse notes the patient is taking an opioid twice a day for pain. Which additional drug, taken concurrently, would concern the nurse the most?
a. An antibiotic
b. A calcium channel blocker
c. A benzodiazepine
d. A disease-modifying antirheumatic dru
c. A benzodiazepine
