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    Ati rn adult medical surgical 2023 proctored exam

    A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hr postoperative following orthopedic surgery and reports pain as 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse expect to administer?

    Explanation & Rationale

    A. Ketorolac 30 mg IV: Ketorolac is a NSAID that can be administered intravenously for postoperative pain relief. Since the client is only 2 hours postoperative and reports severe pain (10/10), this prescription is appropriate for managing acute pain effectively. B. Oxycodone 10 mg PO: Oxycodone is an opioid but it is taken orally, which may not be appropriate in the immediate postoperative period when the client is still recovering from anesthesia and may have nausea or difficulty swallowing. C. Acetaminophen 1,000 mg PO: Acetaminophen is an appropriate medication for mild to moderate pain, but given the client's severe pain (10/10), a stronger analgesic such as an NSAID (ketorolac) or opioid would likely be prescribed in this situation. D. Fentanyl 12.5 mcg/hr transdermal: Fentanyl transdermal patches are used for long-term, chronic pain management and are not suitable for immediate postoperative pain. The onset of action is slow, and it would not provide adequate pain relief in the immediate postoperative period.

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