QUESTIONS ANSWERS
A Patient is taking hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PO q4h at home. Following surgery,
Dilaudid IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate (Stadol) IV q4h PRN are prescribed for
pain. The Patient received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again
requesting pain medication. What intervention should the RN
implement?
A) Alternate the two medications q4h PRN for pain.
B) Alternate the two medications q2h PRN for pain.
C) Administer only the Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain.
D) Administer only the Stadol q4h PRN for pain. - THE CORRECT ANS>> C) Administer
only the Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain.
Dilaudid is an opioid agonist. Stadol is an opioid agonist-antagonist. Use of an agonist-
antagonist for the
Patient who has been receiving opioid agonists may result in abrupt withdrawal
symptoms, and should be
avoided (C). (A, B, and D) do not reflect good nursing practice.
A Patient with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new
prescription for
atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after initiation of the Lipitor prescription, the RN
assesses the Patient.