a client is receiving morphine for pain management what is the most important assessment for the nurse to perform
Logo

Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

Adult Health 1 Exam 1

1. A client is receiving morphine for pain management. What is the most important assessment for the nurse to perform?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client's respiratory rate. Morphine can lead to respiratory depression, which makes it crucial for the nurse to monitor the client's breathing closely. Assessing the respiratory rate helps in early detection of potential respiratory depression and allows prompt intervention. While assessing pain level (choice B) is important, monitoring the respiratory status takes precedence due to the risk of respiratory depression with morphine. Monitoring blood pressure (choice C) is relevant but not as crucial as assessing respiratory status in a client receiving morphine. Evaluating the level of consciousness (choice D) is also important but does not directly address the immediate risk associated with morphine administration.

2. A client has a prescription for a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) unit for pain management during the postoperative period following a Lumbar Laminectomy. What information should the nurse reinforce about the action of this adjuvant pain modality?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. TENS units work by delivering small electrical impulses through the skin. These impulses are thought to close the 'gates of nerve conduction,' which can help in managing severe pain. Choice B is incorrect because the dulled pain perception does not occur in the cerebral cortex by the TENS unit. Choice C is incorrect as it describes a different method of pain management involving medication in the spinal canal. Choice D is incorrect because TENS does not work by distracting the client's focus on pain, but rather by altering pain perception through electrical impulses.

3. The client with diabetes is being taught about the importance of foot care. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the correct answer because soaking feet daily can lead to skin breakdown, making it inappropriate for clients with diabetes. Inspecting feet daily for cuts or blisters (Choice A), wearing properly fitting shoes (Choice C), and avoiding walking barefoot (Choice D) are all appropriate measures to maintain foot health for clients with diabetes.

4. A client with a leg fracture reports increased pain and swelling. What should the nurse suspect?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Increased pain and swelling in a fracture could indicate compartment syndrome, a serious condition requiring urgent care. Compartment syndrome is characterized by increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised blood flow and potential tissue damage. Deep vein thrombosis is less likely in this scenario as the symptoms are more indicative of compartment syndrome. Wound infection would typically present with localized signs of infection at the wound site, such as redness, warmth, and purulent drainage, rather than diffuse pain and swelling.

5. The nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery with a urinary catheter in place. What is the most important action to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure the catheter bag is always below bladder level. This positioning helps prevent backflow of urine, reducing the risk of CAUTIs. Choice A, irrigating the catheter daily, is not recommended as it can introduce pathogens into the bladder. Changing the catheter too frequently (Choice C) can increase the risk of introducing pathogens. Administering prophylactic antibiotics (Choice D) is not the primary intervention for preventing CAUTIs and can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Similar Questions

A client with a history of pulmonary embolism is on anticoagulant therapy. What should the nurse monitor regularly?
The nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours post-operative from abdominal surgery. The client is complaining of severe pain. What is the nurse's first action?
Prior to administering morphine sulfate (Morphine), the nurse takes the client's vital signs. Based on which finding should the nurse withhold administration of the medication until the charge nurse is notified?
A nurse is developing a care plan for a client with chronic pain. What interventions should be included to help manage pain?
What safety measure should be implemented when administering chemotherapy?

Access More Features

HESI LPN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All HESI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

HESI LPN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All HESI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses