An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. The nurse would expect to administer which type of analgesic?

A patient is recovering from abdominal surgery, which he had this morning. He is groggy but complaining of severe pain around his incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient?

A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 per minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time?

A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain management after abdominal surgery. The nurse will include which information in the teaching plan?

A patient has been treated for lung cancer for 3 years. Over the past few months, the patient has noticed that the opioid analgesic is not helping as much as it had previously and more medication is needed for the same pain relief. The nurse is aware that this patient is experiencing which of these?

A 38-year-old man has come into the urgent care center with severe hip pain after falling from a ladder at work. He says he has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but cannot remember how many he has taken. He hands the nurse an empty bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The nurse is aware that the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen overdose is which condition?

A 57-year-old woman being treated for end-stage breast cancer has been using a transdermal opioid analgesic as part of the management of pain. Lately, she has been experiencing breakthrough pain. The nurse expects this type of pain to be managed by which of these interventions?

The nurse is reviewing herbal therapies. Which is a common use of the herb feverfew?

A patient is to receive acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) as part of the treatment for an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. Which action by the nurse is appropriate when giving this medication?

A patient is receiving gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant, but has no history of seizures. The nurse expects that the patient is receiving this drug for which condition?

The nurse is assessing a patient who has been admitted to the emergency department for a possible opioid overdose. Which assessment finding is characteristic of an opioid drug overdose?

The drug nalbuphine (Nubain) is an agonist-antagonist (partial agonist). The nurse understands that which is a characteristic of partial agonists?

The nurse is assessing a patient for contraindications to drug therapy with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Which patient should not receive acetaminophen?

A patient arrives at the urgent care center complaining of leg pain after a fall when rock climbing. The x-rays show no broken bones, but he has a large bruise on his thigh. The patient says he drives a truck and does not want to take anything strong because he needs to stay awake. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?

A patient is suffering from tendonitis of the knee. The nurse is reviewing the patient's medication administration record and recognizes that which adjuvant medication is most appropriate for this type of pain?

During a fishing trip, a patient pierced his finger with a large fishhook. He is now in the emergency department to have it removed. The nurse anticipates that which type of anesthesia will be used for this procedure?

While monitoring a patient who had surgery under general anesthesia 2 hours ago, the nurse notes a sudden elevation in body temperature. This finding may be an indication of which problem?

When assessing patients in the preoperative area, the nurse knows that which patient is at a higher risk for an altered response to anesthesia?

A patient is undergoing abdominal surgery and has been anesthetized for 3 hours. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for this patient?

When administering a neuromuscular blocking drug, the nurse needs to remember which principle?

A patient is being prepared for an oral endoscopy, and the nurse anesthetist reminds him that he will be awake during the procedure but probably will not remember it. What type of anesthetic technique is used in this situation?

During the immediate postoperative period, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit nurse is assessing a patient who had hip surgery. The patient is experiencing tachycardia, tachypnea, and muscle rigidity, and his temperature is 103° F (39.4° C). The nurse will prepare for what immediate treatment?

A patient who has received some traumatic news is panicking and asks for some medication to help settle down. The nurse anticipates giving which drug that is most appropriate for this situation?

A patient has been taking phenobarbital for 2 weeks as part of his therapy for epilepsy. He tells the nurse that he feels tense and that "the least little thing" bothers him now. Which is the correct explanation for this problem?

A 50-year-old man who has been taking phenobarbital for 1 week is found very lethargic and unable to walk after eating out for dinner. His wife states that he has no other prescriptions and that he did not take an overdose—the correct number of pills is in the bottle. The nurse suspects which of the choices may have happened?

A patient has been taking temazepam (Restoril) for intermittent insomnia. She calls the nurse to say that when she takes it, she sleeps well, but the next day she feels "so tired." Which explanation by the nurse is correct?

A patient is recovering from a minor automobile accident that occurred 1 week ago. He is taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) for muscular pain and goes to physical therapy three times a week. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for him?

A patient is taking flurazepam (Dalmane) three to four nights a week for sleeplessness. She is concerned that she cannot get to sleep without taking the medication. What nonpharmacologic measures should the nurse suggest to promote sleep for this patient?

A patient is brought to the emergency department for treatment of a suspected overdose. The patient was found with an empty prescription bottle of a barbiturate by his bedside. He is lethargic and barely breathing. The nurse would expect which immediate intervention?

Ramelteon (Rozerem) is prescribed for a patient with insomnia. The nurse checks the patient's medical history, knowing that this medication is contraindicated in which disorder?

The nurse notes in the patient's medication history that the patient is taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril). Based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?

A patient has experienced insomnia for months, and the physician has prescribed a medication to help with this problem. The nurse expects which drug to be used for long-term treatment of insomnia?

A patient tells the nurse that he likes to drink kava herbal tea to help him relax. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for teaching about this herbal product is needed?

A patient is receiving instructions regarding the use of caffeine. The nurse shares that caffeine should be used with caution if which of these conditions is present?

A patient who started taking orlistat (Xenical) 1 month ago calls the clinic to report some "embarrassing" adverse effects. She tells the nurse that she has had episodes of "not being able to control my bowel movements." Which statement is true about this situation?

A 6-year-old boy has been started on an extended-release form of methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During a follow-up visit, his mother tells the nurse that she has been giving the medication at bedtime so that it will be "in his system" when he goes to school the next morning. What is the nurse's appropriate evaluation of the mother's actions?

A 22-year-old nursing student had been taking NoDoz (caffeine) tablets for the past few weeks to "make it through" the end of the semester and exam week. She is in the university clinic today because she is "exhausted." What nursing diagnosis may be appropriate for her?

A 10-year-old patient will be started on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) therapy. The nurse will perform which essential baseline assessment before this drug is started?

When evaluating a patient who is taking orlistat (Xenical), which is an intended therapeutic effect?

The nurse is teaching a patient how to self-administer triptan injections for migraine headaches. Which statement by the patient indicates that he needs further teaching?

The nurse is reviewing the dosage schedule for several different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Which antiepileptic drug allows for once-a-day dosing?

The nurse has given medication instructions to a patient receiving phenytoin (Dilantin). Which statement by the patient indicates that the patient has an adequate understanding of the instructions?

When teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) at home, the nurse will include which instruction?

A patient has a 9-year history of a seizure disorder that has been managed well with oral phenytoin (Dilantin) therapy. He is to be NPO (consume nothing by mouth) for surgery in the morning. What will the nurse do about his morning dose of phenytoin?

The nurse is monitoring a patient who has been taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) for 2 months. Which effects would indicate that autoinduction has started to occur?

The nurse is giving an intravenous dose of phenytoin (Dilantin). Which action is correct when administering this drug?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning for users of antiepileptic drugs. Based on this report, the nurse will monitor for which potential problems with this class of drugs?

A patient is experiencing status epilepticus. The nurse prepares to give which drug of choice for the treatment of this condition?

Phenytoin (Dilantin) has a narrow therapeutic index. The nurse notes that which characteristic indicates which of these?

A patient has been taking an AED for several years as part of his treatment for partial seizures. His wife has called because he ran out of medication this morning and wonders if he can go without it for a week until she has a chance to go to the drugstore. What is the nurse’s best response?

During a routine appointment, a patient with a history of seizures is found to have a phenytoin (Dilantin) level of 23 mcg/mL. What concern will the nurse have, if any?

A patient is taking gabapentin (Neurontin), and the nurse notes that there is no history of seizures on his medical record. What is the best possible rationale for this medication order?

A patient has been taking selegiline (Eldepryl), 20 mg/day for 1 month. Today, during his office visit, he tells the nurse that he forgot and had a beer with dinner last evening, and 'felt awful.' What did the patient most likely experience?

A patient has been given a prescription for levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) for her newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease. She asks the nurse, 'Why are there two drugs in this pill?' The nurse's best response reflects which fact?

When a patient is taking an anticholinergic such as benztropine (Cogentin) as part of the treatment for Parkinson's disease, the nurse should include which information in the teaching plan?

A patient has been treated with antiparkinson medications for 3 months. What therapeutic response should the nurse look for when assessing this patient?

Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) is prescribed for a patient with Parkinson's disease. The nurse informs the patient that which common adverse effects can occur with this medication?

The nurse is assessing the medication history of a patient with a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Which condition is a contraindication for the patient, who will be taking tolcapone (Tasmar)?

The nurse is developing a care plan for a patient who is taking an anticholinergic drug. Which nursing diagnosis would be appropriate for this patient?

A patient has a new order for a catechol ortho-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor as part of treatment for Parkinson's disease. The nurse recognizes that which of these is an advantage of this drug class?

A patient taking entacapone (Comtan) for the first time calls the clinic to report a dark discoloration of his urine. After listening to the patient, the nurse realizes that what is happening in this situation?

While a patient is receiving drug therapy for Parkinson's disease, the nurse monitors for dyskinesia, which is manifested by which finding?

When treating patients with medications for Parkinson’s disease, the nurse knows that the wearing-off phenomenon occurs for which reason?

A patient has a new order for the adrenergic drug doxazosin (Cardura). When providing education about this drug, the nurse will include which instructions?

A patient with severe liver disease is receiving the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril (Capoten). The nurse is aware that the advantage of this drug for this patient is which characteristic?

During a follow-up visit, the health care provider examines the fundus of the patient’s eye. The patient is confused and asks the nurse, "Why is he looking at my eyes when I have high blood pressure? It does not make sense to me!" What is the best response by the nurse?

The nurse is preparing for a community education program on hypertension. Which of these parameters determine the regulation of arterial blood pressure?

When counseling a male patient about the possible adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs, the nurse will discuss which potential problem?

The nurse is reviewing drug therapy for hypertension. According to the JNC-8 guidelines, antihypertensive drug therapy for a newly diagnosed hypertensive African-American patient would most likely include which drug or drug classes?

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which is a potential nursing diagnosis for the patient taking antihypertensive medications?

With this medication, the nurse knows that the maximum dose of this drug should be infused for how long?

A patient with primary hypertension is prescribed drug therapy for the first time. The patient asks how long drug therapy will be needed. Which answer by the nurse is the correct response?

A patient who has been taking antihypertensive drugs for a few months complains of having a persistent dry cough. The nurse knows that this cough is an adverse effect of which class of antihypertensive drugs?

A pregnant woman is experiencing hypertension. The nurse knows that which drug is commonly used for a pregnant patient who is experiencing hypertension?

A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been found to have trace proteinuria. The prescriber writes an order for an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. What is the main reason for prescribing this class of drug for this patient?

The nurse is reviewing the orders for a patient and notes a new order for an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The nurse checks the current medication orders, knowing that this drug class may have a serious interaction with what other drug class?

An older adult patient will be taking a vasodilator for hypertension. Which adverse effect is of most concern for the older adult patient taking this class of drug?

When the nurse is administering topical nitroglycerin ointment, which technique is correct?

The nurse is giving intravenous nitroglycerin to a patient who has just been admitted because of an acute myocardial infarction. Which statement is true regarding the administration of the intravenous form of this medication?

A patient has been diagnosed with angina and will be given a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. When teaching the patient how to use sublingual nitroglycerin, the nurse will include which instruction?

A patient says the pain usually goes away after one or two sublingual nitroglycerin tablets and rest. What type of angina is he experiencing?

A patient arrives in the emergency department with severe chest pain. The patient reports that the pain has been occurring off and on for a week now. Which assessment finding would indicate the need for cautious use of nitrates and nitrites?

A calcium channel blocker (CCB) is prescribed for a patient, and the nurse provides instructions to the patient about the medication. Which instruction is correct?

When applying transdermal nitroglycerin patches, which instruction by the nurse is correct?

A patient has been taking a beta blocker for 4 weeks as part of his antianginal therapy. He also has type II diabetes and hyperthyroidism. When discussing possible adverse effects, the nurse will include which information?

What action is often recommended to help reduce tolerance to transdermal nitroglycerin therapy?

While assessing a patient who is taking a beta blocker for angina, the nurse knows to monitor for which adverse effect?

When teaching a patient who has a new prescription for transdermal nitroglycerin patches, the nurse tells the patient that these patches are most appropriately used for which situation?