medium · NCLEX-RN management
An RN on a postoperative surgical unit is caring for a 45-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy yesterday. The client reports a pain level of 9/10 and states, 'I have pressed my pain button every 10 minutes, but the medicine is not working at all.' The night-shift RN frequently volunteered to administer the client's PCA cartridges. The current RN reviews the log and notes multiple unexplained syringe changes.
Which action should the RN take first?
- Perform a focused pain assessment, verify the PCA pump settings, and check the cartridge volume.
- Notify the nurse manager and pharmacy department of suspected drug diversion by the night-shift RN.
- Confront the night-shift RN immediately about the client's pain level and PCA pump discrepancies.
- Administer an additional dose of a different ordered non-opioid analgesic to control the pain.
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