what is the best way to manage a patients pain postoperatively
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2023

1. What is the best way to manage a patient's pain postoperatively?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer analgesics regularly. Postoperative pain management often requires a scheduled, around-the-clock administration of analgesics to maintain a consistent level of pain relief and minimize the risk of breakthrough pain. Choice B, administering pain medication PRN (as needed), may lead to inadequate pain control as the medication is not given preemptively. Choice C, encouraging deep breathing exercises, can be beneficial for pain management but should be used as an adjunct to analgesic therapy. Choice D, providing distraction techniques, may help some patients cope with pain but should not be the primary method of pain management postoperatively.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of angina. The client reports chest pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when a client with a history of angina reports chest pain is to administer sublingual nitroglycerin every 5 minutes. Nitroglycerin helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart and relieving chest pain associated with angina. Aspirin is often given during a suspected heart attack, not for immediate relief of angina. Deep breathing exercises may be beneficial for anxiety or respiratory conditions but are not the first-line intervention for angina. Oxygen therapy is not the initial treatment for angina unless the client is hypoxic.

3. A client is postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Wear compression stockings daily.' Wearing compression stockings is essential after knee surgery to prevent venous stasis and reduce the risk of blood clots. Choice A is incorrect as crossing legs when sitting can increase the risk of blood clots. Choice B is incorrect because performing range-of-motion exercises every 4 hours may not be suitable for all clients post total knee arthroplasty. Choice D is incorrect as applying heat to the incision site can increase the risk of infection.

4. A client who is at 36 weeks of gestation is scheduled for a nonstress test. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The nonstress test takes about 10 minutes and evaluates fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. Choice A is incorrect because fasting is not required for a nonstress test. Choice C is incorrect as a full bladder is not necessary for this test. Choice D is incorrect as blood glucose checking is not typically part of a nonstress test.

5. A community health nurse is assessing an adolescent who is pregnant. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Understanding of infant care. When assessing a pregnant adolescent, the priority is to ensure that she has the necessary knowledge and skills to care for her newborn. This assessment is crucial in promoting the health and well-being of both the adolescent mother and her baby. Option A, social relationships with peers, though important, is not the priority during this assessment. Option B, plans for attending school while pregnant, is also important but does not take precedence over ensuring the adolescent's understanding of infant care. Option C, eligibility for Medicaid, is important for accessing healthcare services but is not the priority assessment in this scenario.

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