Ati Pharmacology Proctored Guide - Pain Drugs Study Questions & Answers 2022

Nonopioid and Opioid Analgesics
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is evaluating a patient 2 hours after giving a dose of 30 mg of codeine with
acetaminophen for postoperative pain after abdominal surgery. The patient reports a pain level
of 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. The nurse notes a heart rate of 110 beats per minute, a respiratory
rate of 28 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 180/90 mm Hg. Which action will the
nurse take?
a. Administer the next dose of codeine one hour early.
b. Ask the provider if the codeine dose can be increased.
c. Contact the provider to ask if a dose of ibuprofen may be given now.
d. Request an order for oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet).
ANS: D
The patient is showing signs of moderate to severe pain unrelieved by codeine, so the nurse
should request a more potent opioid analgesic such as oxycodone. Codeine is effective for
mild to moderate pain so will not be effective for this patient even if the dose is increased. The
medication should not be given more frequently than every 4 hours. Ibuprofen is used for
musculoskeletal pain and not postoperative pain.