NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

What is the correct action by the nurse when ordered to administer a pain medication intravenously every 3-4 hours as needed?

1. Inform the patient to take the medication with food or milk

2. Inform the patient to let the nurse know when they are in pain

3. Inform the patient that the medication will be given at a set time daily

4. Inform the patient that the medication will be given at bedtime

The correct answer is: Inform the patient to let the nurse know when they are in pain

When a patient is prescribed a pain medication to be administered intravenously every 3-4 hours as needed, it is crucial for the nurse to inform the patient to let them know when they are in pain. This is the correct action because the patient's pain levels can fluctuate, and the nurse needs to assess when the pain relief is necessary based on the patient's reporting rather than administering the medication on a set schedule. This approach ensures that the patient receives pain relief according to their individual needs and improves pain management effectiveness. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because in this scenario, informing the patient to take the medication with food or milk, at a set time daily, or at bedtime would not align with the PRN (as needed) nature of the prescription. It is crucial to provide pain medication based on the patient's pain levels and not on set meal times or bedtime.