RN HESI Pharmacology Exam
RN HESI Pharmacology Exam ( 31 Questions)
Patient Data
History and Physical
The client is a 42-year-old female who had a right above-the-knee amputation for osteomyelitis. The client has a drain in place and a surgical dressing that will need to be changed by the surgeon on post-op day 1.
Nurses Notes
1400: Started continuous morphine in the left antecubital vein peripheral intravenous line. No redness, edema, or bleeding noted at the site. Vital signs are heart rate 77 bpm, blood pressure 118/74 mmHg, respiratory rate 16 breaths/min.
Orders:
- Admit to the surgical floor
- Clear liquid diet, advance as tolerated
- Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring
- Morphine 1 mg/hr intravenously
- Alert surgeon to signs of bleeding or infection in the surgical site
1500:
- Docusate sodium 240 mg orally every am
- Naloxone 2 mg intravenously as needed for respiratory depression
- Ibuprofen 600 mg orally every 6 hours
The charge nurse places a fall precautions sign on the client's door. What side effects of morphine could contribute to this client's fall risk? Select all that apply.
Seizures are not a common side effect of morphine, and they are unlikely to contribute to this client's fall risk. Seizures can occur in rare cases of morphine overdose, hypersensitivity, or withdrawal, but they are not expected in a client who is receiving a continuous and monitored dose of morphine. Therefore, choice A is incorrect.
Nausea is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Nausea can cause the client to feel dizzy, weak, or unsteady, and it can also impair the client's appetite and hydration status. Nausea can also trigger vomiting, which can increase the risk of aspiration or dehydration. Therefore, choice B is correct.
Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when the client changes position from lying to sitting or standing. Orthostatic hypotension can cause the client to feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded, and it can also increase the risk of syncope (loss of consciousness) or cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, choice C is correct.
Sedation is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Sedation can cause the client to feel sleepy, drowsy, or confused, and it can also impair the client's alertness and coordination. Sedation can also reduce the client's ability to respond to stimuli or alarms, and it can increase the risk of respiratory depression or coma. Therefore, choice D is correct.
Euphoria is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Euphoria is a feeling of intense happiness or well-being that is induced by the activation of opioid receptors in the brain. Euphoria can cause the client to feel overconfident, impulsive, or reckless, and it can also impair the client's judgment and perception of reality. Euphoria can also increase the risk of psychological dependence or addiction. Therefore, choice E is correct.
Itching is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Itching is caused by the release of histamine from mast cells in response to the stimulation of opioid receptors in the skin. Itching can cause the client to scratch excessively, which can damage the skin and increase the risk of infection. Itching can also distract the client from other sensations or warnings, and it can reduce the client's comfort and quality of life. Therefore, choice F is correct.
Urinary retention is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder completely or voluntarily due to the inhibition of bladder contraction by opioid receptors in the urinary tract. Urinary retention can cause the client to feel pain, discomfort, or urgency in the lower abdomen, and it can also increase the risk of urinary tract infection or kidney damage. Urinary retention can also prompt the client to attempt to get out of bed without assistance or supervision, which can increase the risk of falling. Therefore, choice G is correct.
Choice A reason:
Seizures are not a common side effect of morphine, and they are unlikely to contribute to this client's fall risk. Seizures can occur in rare cases of morphine overdose, hypersensitivity, or withdrawal, but they are not expected in a client who is receiving a continuous and monitored dose of morphine. Therefore, choice A is incorrect.
Choice B reason:
Nausea is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Nausea can cause the client to feel dizzy, weak, or unsteady, and it can also impair the client's appetite and hydration status. Nausea can also trigger vomiting, which can increase the risk of aspiration or dehydration. Therefore, choice B is correct.
Choice C reason:
Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when the client changes position from lying to sitting or standing. Orthostatic hypotension can cause the client to feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded, and it can also increase the risk of syncope (loss of consciousness) or cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, choice C is correct.
Choice D reason:
Sedation is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Sedation can cause the client to feel sleepy, drowsy, or confused, and it can also impair the client's alertness and coordination. Sedation can also reduce the client's ability to respond to stimuli or alarms, and it can increase the risk of respiratory depression or coma. Therefore, choice D is correct.
Choice E reason:
Euphoria is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Euphoria is a feeling of intense happiness or well-being that is induced by the activation of opioid receptors in the brain. Euphoria can cause the client to feel overconfident, impulsive, or reckless, and it can also impair the client's judgment and perception of reality. Euphoria can also increase the risk of psychological dependence or addiction. Therefore, choice E is correct.
Choice F reason:
Itching is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Itching is caused by the release of histamine from mast cells in response to the stimulation of opioid receptors in the skin. Itching can cause the client to scratch excessively, which can damage the skin and increase the risk of infection. Itching can also distract the client from other sensations or warnings, and it can reduce the client's comfort and quality of life. Therefore, choice F is correct.
Choice G reason:
Urinary retention is a common side effect of morphine, and it can contribute to this client's fall risk. Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder completely or voluntarily due to the inhibition of bladder contraction by opioid receptors in the urinary tract. Urinary retention can cause the client to feel pain, discomfort, or urgency in the lower abdomen, and it can also increase the risk of urinary tract infection or kidney damage. Urinary retention can also prompt the client to attempt to get out of bed without assistance or supervision, which can increase the risk of falling. Therefore, choice G is correct.