Question

1. The adult patient with advanced colon cancer reports lower abdominal pain, rating the pain at a “10.” The nurse completes an assessment of the patient, noting a respiratory rate of 10/min. The health care provider has ordered morphine sulfate, 4 mg IV every 34 hours as needed for pain. Discuss the implications of the patient's reported symptoms, medical history, and assessment. Identify the appropriate nursing interventions in this situation.

2. A patient is experiencing headaches, weakness, hunger, and blurred vision after taking a NSAID. What are the proper nursing interventions?

Answer 1

1. Appropriate nursing interventions:

Assessment of bowel function,consistency of stool, bowel pattern to decide the symptomatic treatment

To provide oxygen and proper positioning to maintain patent airway and helps to ease breathing

Breathing exercises to facilitate respiratory rate

Assessment of pain- intensity, location, and exacerbation of symptoms, duration etc to manage pain

Pharmacologic intervention to treat pain

Changes in dietary pattern and soft diet to facilitate bowel movements

Small and frequent meals

2. Proper nursing interventions:

Patient taking NSAIDS need extensive health education before taking these medicines.

NSAID's may aggravate the pre-existing health conditions such as stroke, hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure and lead to death. it is essential to consider the medications which has being taken by the patient before administering NSAID's especially if patient is having underlying cardiac conditions.

When assessing for pain, pre-existing condition, medications use, lifestyle of patient, dietary pattern, patient's cardiovascular, renal and gastro intestinal condition is essential to decide for alternative pain intervention

Educating a patient with NSAID's risk will be more helpful in understanding the patient in treating adverse reactions.