PrepU Comfort Flashcards
I am assessing an adult client with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The client has no history of prior surgeries, has no allergies, and is physically fit. What should I do during the abdominal exam?
Observe the client’s face for signs of discomfort
Instructions for client before an abdominal assessment:
- empty bladder
- lie supine with arms to the side
- Distract client with questions or conversation to help avoid tensing of abdominal musculature
A male client develops diarrhea secondary to antibiotic therapy. He is to receive two tablets of diphenoxylate HCl with atropine sulfate (Lomotil) orally as needed for each loose stool. What should I inform the ct. that he may experience?
Dizziness: most common adverse effect of diphenoxylate HCl with atropine sulfate:
others are drowsiness, tachycardia
-The drug has chemical similarity to meperidine (an opioid
What must be explained when discussing care for clients with inoperable brain tumors?
hospice care and services
A client has been prescribed the nitroglycerine patch. What is advantage of this method of administration over the oval administration?
Longer duration of action.
Disadvantages of the topical application of nitroglycerin over the oral admin?
-slower action
Nociception includes 4 specific processes:
-transduction
-transmission
-perception
-modulation
Which action demonstrates nociception process of pain transmission?
A child quickly removing had when touching a hot object.
Nociception is responsible for a rapid reflex withdrawal from painful stimulus and occurs during transmission
—— is based on the belief that the brain processes can strongly influence pain perception.
Imagery
—— refers to the process by which a noxious stimulus, such as a burn, releases a number of excitatory compound, which moves pain along the pain pathway.
Transduction
Which medication is considered a dual-mechanism analgesic agent?
Tramadol: involves many dif. neurochemicals as in the process of modulation
Example of a palliative procedure:
reduction of tumor size to relieve pain
Which procedure is a type of surgery that is utilized for diagnostic purposes or for repair?
Laparoscopic
Excision of a tumor is classified as what type of procedure?
Curative.
During labor, a pregnant client’s doula uses therapeutic touch and massage. Which outcome indicates that these approaches have been effective?
The ct. is not requesting pain medication.
What alternative “medication” is an antiemetic (helps with nausea/vomiting)
Ginger
What type of pain is processed abnormally by the nervous system
neuropathic
What is a sitz bath usually prescribed for?
Substitutes for an ice pack to reduce swelling and promote comfort for an episiotomy, perineal trauma, or inflamed hemorrhoids. (third-degree laceration)
Oral cefuroxime should be taken with or without food?
With food: decreases nausea/vomiting
Instruction for client taking methadone:
Eat small frequent meals if nauseated
Which type of client would benefit from a PRN drug regimen as an effective method of pain control?
postoperative stage with occasional pain
Which type of client would benefit from dosage of pain medication around the clock?
Early postoperative period, chronic pain, acute pain
How is a straight leg test performed?
Ask client to raise leg to point of pain and then dorsiflex foot to check for herniated nucleus pulposus.
What is being assessed when asking a ct. to bend forward and touch their toes?
Range of motion of lumbar spine
What is assessed when a ct. touches their chin to their chest?
range of motion of cervical spine
Lithium toxicity symptoms:
lethargy, fine hand tremor, polydipsia, cardiac arrhythmias, and report food tasting like metal
If lithium toxicity is suspected what are the tests that need to be performed?
serum lithium
electrolyte levels
ECG
What is the condition characterized by hyperkinetic movement disorder caused by first- and second-generation antipsychotics?
Tardive dyskinesia
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome side effects:
elevated temp, unstable pressure, and rigid muscles
Symptoms of acute appendicitis:
fever, nausea, vomiting
Symptoms of peritonitis:
rigid abdomen with generalized severe abdominal pain and fever
How does cold therapy relieve pain?
-swelling reduced at injury site = tension is less to suture site and less pain/tenderness to surrounding tissues
-decreases nerve conduction velocity
What scale is used to help determine pain in adults with cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer disease?
Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R)
Survival rate of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
approximately 90%. May make a full recovery or suffer from some residual deficits.
Aortic dissection may be mistaken for which disease?
Myocardial infarction (MI)
I am caring for a patient with peripheral arterial insufficiency. What can I suggest to help relieve leg pain during rest?
Lower limb so it is dependent. Improves perfusion to distal tissues
Persistent pain in the forefoot (anterior portion of foot) when patient is resting indicates what?
severe degree of arterial insufficiency and critical state of ischemia.
-known as “rest pain” = worse at night and may interfere with sleep
Which finger is used to facilitate palpation of anus?
lubricated index finger of gloved hand. Ask client to bear down before placing pad of index finger in anal opening.
