A young adult who underwent an appendectomy two hours ago reports incisional pain rated as 8 on a 0-to-10 pain scale. The medication administration record includes a prescription for intravenous morphine sulfate. The client is currently resting with eyes closed, arouses easily to verbal stimuli, and has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. Which action should the nurse take?
- Withhold the prescribed opioid dose and notify the healthcare provider.Cevap
- BAdminister the prescribed medication slowly over five minutes.
- CElevate the head of the bed to a high-Fowler's position before injecting the medication.
- DAdminister half of the prescribed dose to provide pain relief while minimizing respiratory risks.
Cevap
Withhold the prescribed opioid dose and notify the healthcare provider.
The correct action is to withhold the medication because the client's respiratory rate is 10 breaths per minute, which is below the normal range (12-20 breaths per minute). Administering an opioid to a client with an already compromised respiratory status can precipitate respiratory arrest. The nurse must prioritize physiological safety over pain relief.
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Anahtar Kavram
Opioid administration requires careful assessment of respiratory rate; doses must be withheld if the rate falls below 12 breaths per minute.