Test question - how would you answer?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2003

Even though I'm big on pain control (former hospice nurse) I would say monitering B/P. A sudden loss of B/P could indicate hemorrhaging, or reaction to anesthsia, pain meds, etc.

You have to know what the B/P is before you can give a safe dose of pain meds.

BamaGirlRN · Sep 23, 2003

Thats ok Det01 I am in my last semester and I am not 100% sure I choose the right answer.

So whats the answer??

MQ Edna · Sep 23, 2003

Yeah... what IS the answer???

Kathy

kimtab · Sep 23, 2003

I would have answered BP due to risk of hemorrhage. Interested to see the answer.

PJMommy · Sep 23, 2003

Wow!!

Well, the correct answer is BP monitoring...for the exact reason some of you mentioned. It's the ol' "what might kill you" reasoning.

However, the "pain is the 5th vital sign", "treat the pain" and lecture notes where I wrote "lots of pain in post-op" -- I chose pain management and was wrong.

The question is a good lesson (for me!) in the ABC's and prioritizing the interventions/assessments. Jeez! These can be tricky sometimes.

Thanks for all the feedback.

BamaGirlRN · Sep 23, 2003

Ack, sorry, double post. May take me a while to figure the board out.

BamaGirlRN · Sep 23, 2003

The way test questions are worded can really throw me(us) off, I have learned how to answer the questions, finally, since its my last semester. Plus the question said first 24 hours after and priority. I had one almost similar one last semester, I choose pain, wrong.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 23, 2003

In testing, as in real-life nursing, the best answer is always the *safest* answer. In this case, BP monitoring is the top priority---too low, and the pt. could be hemorrhaging; too high, and the repaired vessel can "blow", causing massive internal bleeding and shock. Pain is next on the list, and it should be managed aggressively both for the patient's comfort and because it stresses the body and can cause BP to rise. But the number-one responsibility is to keep that BP within a safe range, because if you don't, the other interventions won't matter!

Mariannsi · Sep 23, 2003

That was a tough question, but I think I would have chosen BP because it's an objective sign and pain is subject. BP can can indicate rupture-hemorrage.

Brownms46 · Sep 23, 2003

Originally posted by mjlrn97
In testing, as in real-life nursing, the best answer is always the *safest* answer. In this case, BP monitoring is the top priority---too low, and the pt. could be hemorrhaging; too high, and the repaired vessel can "blow", causing massive internal bleeding and shock. Pain is next on the list, and it should be managed aggressively both for the patient's comfort and because it stresses the body and can cause BP to rise. But the number-one responsibility is to keep that BP within a safe range, because if you don't, the other interventions won't matter!

Great answer mj, and I totally agree!

SnowieRN · Sep 23, 2003

Blood pressure monitoring would be my guess. (Im answering before I read the thread so I dont cheat). If someone just had a hole in their blood vessel, I think theyd be at a high risk for it to happen again, so soon after surgery. 24hours after that surgery.. hmm.. I think theyd still be pretty heavy on drugs anyways, so why would that be a priority?

foreverhope · Sep 23, 2003

I am first semester RN student, but I would guess BP.