Pain and sedation before PRN oxycodone
RN OSCE practice station
Pain management · 2 min to read · 8 min to perform
A written station. Free to try, no sign-up.
The task
You are the RN on a hospital ward. Daniel Mason, aged 49, has a signed PRN order for oxycodone immediate-release 5 mg orally every six hours for severe pain, maximum 20 mg in 24 hours. He requests a dose after surgery. Assess pain and medicine safety, explain your decision and arrange review. Complete the supplied practice record. Speak to the patient and describe each assessment as you perform it. A second RN is available. Partner Jess is present. You have eight minutes; describe and select physical actions in this online exercise.
What this station tests
- Daniel’s RR 8 and recurrent drowsiness require MET and respiratory support before analgesia.
- Pain seven out of ten does not override unsafe sedation.
- Include morphine, gabapentin and renal impairment in the handover.
- Prepare reversal treatment only under an authorised order or emergency protocol.
Sources for the clinical content
- ACSQHC medicine information: oxycodone (Endone)
- ACSQHC: High risk medicines and systems
- ACSQHC: Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard
- ACSQHC: Communicating for Safety Standard
- ACSQHC: Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.