Question

A client is admitted to the recovery room following an exploratory laparotomy. Which medication should be kept nearby? A. Nitroprusside (Nipride) B. Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan) C. Flumazenil (Romazicon) D. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Short answer

Answer: B. Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan)

Step-by-step solution

Understand the procedure of exploratory laparotomy

An exploratory laparotomy is a surgical procedure in which the abdomen is opened to examine the organs for signs of inflammation, injury, or disease. This is usually done when other diagnostic tests haven't provided a definite diagnosis. After the procedure, patients might experience pain or may be at risk for side effects from the anesthesia.

Understand the effects and uses of each medication

A. Nitroprusside (Nipride) is used to treat hypertensive crisis and is a potent vasodilator. B. Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan) is used to reverse the effects of opioids and can counteract respiratory depression caused by opioids. C. Flumazenil (Romazicon) is used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines and can quickly restore normal respiration in patients experiencing benzodiazepine overdose. D. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an antihistamine that can treat allergic reactions or motion sickness.

Determine the most suitable medication

From the list of medications, we need to determine which one is more likely to be needed by a patient recovering from an exploratory laparotomy. During surgery, patients are often given medications for pain relief. For many surgeries, it's common to use opioids for pain relief. If the patient is experiencing any respiratory depression or side effects from the opioids, having Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan) nearby can quickly reverse the effects of opioids and potentially save the patient's life.

Choose the correct answer based on the patient's needs

Based on the patient's potential needs following an exploratory laparotomy, the most appropriate medication to keep nearby in the recovery room is: B. Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan)