A Patient Was Admitted to the Critical Care Unit Several

question 7

Multiple Choice

A patient was admitted to the critical care unit several weeks ago with an acute myocardial infarction and subsequently underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.Since a cardiac arrest 5 days ago, the patient has been unresponsive.An electroencephalogram shows no meaningful brain activity.The patient is placed on a morphine drip to alleviate suspected operative pain and assist in sedation.The patient continues to grimace and fight the ventilator.What nursing intervention would be appropriate?

• A) Increase the morphine dosage until no signs of pain or discomfort are present.
• B) Increase the morphine drip, but if the patient's respiratory rate drops below 10 breaths/min, return to the original dosage.
• C) Gradually decrease the morphine and switch to Versed to avoid respiratory depression.
• D) Ask the family to leave the room because their presence is causing undue stress to the patient.

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Definitions:

Prefrontal Cortex

A part of the brain located at the front of the frontal lobe, crucial for decision making, social behavior, and personality expression.

Method of Loci

A mnemonic device that involves associating items to be remembered with physical locations.

Vivid Mental Images

Highly detailed and clear mental pictures generated by the mind, often used in memory and creative processes.

Motivated Forgetting

A psychological theory suggesting that people are more likely to forget information that causes emotional distress or anxiety.