Deck 26: Nonopioid and Opioid Analgesics

Question 1

A nurse is assessing a postoperative client who received morphine sulfate for severe pain 1 hour ago. What common side effects are associated with this medication?

A) Constipation and pruritus
B) Diarrhea and lethargy
C) Tachycardia and hypertension
D) Coughing and wheezing

Answer 1

Constipation and pruritus

Question 2

The client receiving Imitrex complains of dizziness. The nurse's highest priority intervention is to recognize that this is a(n) ________ and notify the physician.

A) adverse reaction to the medication
B) food-drug interaction
C) side effect of the medication
D) life-threatening reaction to the drug

Answer 2

side effect of the medication

Question 3

An adolescent client tells the nurse that she takes acetaminophen (Tylenol) a few times every day because of "stress headaches." The nurse advises her to see a primary healthcare provider because overuse of the medication may result in:

A) nausea and anorexia.
B) gastrointestinal irritation.
C) hepatotoxicity.
D) diaphoresis and fluid loss.

Answer 3

hepatotoxicity.

Question 4

A client is prescribed morphine sulfate for management of severe pain. The client tells the nurse that he takes several herbal preparations. Which herbal preparation will be of most concern to the nurse?

A) Garlic
B) Ginger
C) St. John's wort
D) Saw palmetto

Question 5

A 5-year-old client has an elevated temperature as a result of a viral respiratory tract infection. What nonopioid drug should be given to decrease the child's body temperature?

A) Aspirin
B) Acetaminophen
C) Diflunisal
D) Sodium salicylate

Question 6

A patient receives nalbuphine (Nubain) for intense pain related to a fracture. Which nursing intervention is an important part of the plan of care 1 hour after administration of this medication?

A) Strain all urine.
B) Elevate the head of the bed.
C) Monitor vital signs when getting out of bed.
D) Infuse IV fluid at a rapid rate.

Question 7

A nurse is planning the care of a client receiving opioid analgesia. What is considered a priority in planning this care?

A) Monitoring respiratory rate
B) Listening for adventitious breath sounds
C) Assessing for speed of pupillary reaction
D) Increasing the IV fluid flow rate

Question 8

A client receives hydromorphone (Dilaudid) following an operative procedure. The nurse assesses the client's urine output in order to monitor for which side effect of this medication?

A) Urinary tract infections
B) Incontinence
C) Urinary retention
D) Renal failure

Question 9

The client is complaining of severe pain. The nurse anticipates that the client will be ordered treatment with:

A) aspirin.
B) acetaminophen.
C) diflunisal.
D) morphine sulfate.

Question 10

The client is prescribed Imitrex for migraine headaches. She is nauseated and cannot take the medication by mouth. The nurse anticipates that the client will receive the medication via:

A) subcutaneous injection.
B) intramuscular injection.
C) intravenous infusion.
D) sublingual route.

Question 11

The client is ordered Nubain intravenously for treatment of severe pain. The client anxiously asks when she can expect to have relief from the pain. The nurse anticipates that the client will have relief within _____ minutes.

A) 2 to 3
B) 5 to 6
C) 10 to 11
D) 15 to 16

Question 12

An adult client has just received morphine sulfate for severe pain. What would indicate that the pain medication was effective?

A) Client lies very still in bed
B) Reduction of the respiratory rate to 8 breaths per minute
C) Facial grimacing and verbalization of relief of pain
D) Lowering of tachycardia to within normal limits

Question 13

A client is ordered to receive ibuprofen (Motrin) for dysmenorrhea. The highest priority instruction that the nurse should give the client is to take the drug:

A) with fluid or food.
B) on an empty stomach.
C) upon arising.
D) nightly before sleep.

Question 14

The client is ordered methadone. The client is most likely experiencing:

A) opioid overdose.
B) acute or chronic pain.
C) opioid addiction.
D) sleep apnea.

Question 15

A client requires an opioid antagonist after receiving an overdose of an opioid agent. The nurse anticipates that the client will be ordered:

A) pentazocine.
B) ibuprofen.
C) naloxone.
D) probenecid.

Question 16

An adult client with a head injury complains of severe pain. The nurse notes that the dose of opioid is half the normal adult dose. What is the reason for this?

A) Head injury patients do not experience severe pain but are disoriented.
B) Respiratory depression can lead to cerebral hemorrhage.
C) Opioids decrease heart rate such that the brain becomes hypoxic.
D) Respiratory depression allows for a buildup of CO₂, a vasodilator.

Question 17

A client takes aspirin regularly to deal with the pain of arthritis. Which symptom may be indicative of a serious side effect of the medication?

A) Intense abdominal pain
B) Frequent constipation
C) Excessive perspiration
D) Excessive fatigue

Question 18

A client is ordered to receive a nonopioid analgesic. The nurse knows that the client is experiencing _____ pain.

A) acute severe
B) visceral (deep)
C) acute mild
D) superficial moderate to severe

Question 19

The client is taking acetaminophen on a regular basis as well as oral contraceptives. The nurse tells the client that this drug interaction will result in a(n) _____ in the effectiveness of the _____.

A) decrease; oral contraceptives
B) increase; oral contraceptives
C) decrease; acetaminophen
D) increase; acetaminophen