A patient with deep partial-thickness (second-degree) burns over 70% of the body experiences severe pain associated with nausea and occasional vomiting during dressing changes. To promote relief of the patient's nausea and vomiting, the nurse should

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Because the patient's nausea and vomiting are associated with severe pain, it is likely that they are precipitated by stress and pain. The best treatment will be to provide adequate pain medication before dressing changes. The nurse should avoid doing painful procedures close to mealtimes, but nausea/vomiting that occur at other times should also be addressed. Keeping the patient NPO does not address the reason for the nausea and vomiting and will have an adverse effect on the patient's nutrition. Administration of antiemetics is not the best choice for a patient with nausea caused by pain.

A Patient with Deep Partial-Thickness (Second-Degree) Burns Over 70% of the Body