A nurse is assessing a client who received an opioid narcotic for incisional pain. Which of the following findings is the priority?

Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is inadequate removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) by the lungs, leading to an accumulation of CO2 and a decrease in pH.

Analysis:

pH 7.22: Indicates acidemia (pH below 7.35), suggesting acidosis.

PaCO2 68 mm Hg: Elevated PaCO2 indicates hypoventilation, which is characteristic of respiratory acidosis.

Base excess -2: Base excess is within normal limits and does not contribute significantly to the acid-base imbalance in this scenario.

PaO2 78 mm Hg: PaO2 is slightly low but not significantly contributing to the acid-base imbalance.

Saturation 80%: Oxygen saturation is low, indicating hypoxemia, which is commonly associated with respiratory acidosis due to hypoventilation.

Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L: Bicarbonate is within normal limits, suggesting compensation for the respiratory acidosis, which is a chronic condition.

Overall, the ABG values indicate respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation, leading to CO2 retention and subsequent acidemia.

A) Pain level:
While assessing pain is important to determine the effectiveness of the pain management, it is not the immediate priority after administering an opioid.

B) Pulse oximetry:
Monitoring oxygen saturation is critical as opioids can depress respiratory function. However, it is indirectly related to the primary effect of the medication on the central nervous system.

C) Blood pressure:
Monitoring blood pressure is important as opioids can cause hypotension, but it is not as critical as monitoring the level of sedation and respiratory status.

D) Level of sedation:
This is the priority because opioids can cause significant sedation and respiratory depression. Assessing the level of sedation helps determine if the client is at risk of further complications like respiratory arrest. Over-sedation can be a precursor to more serious complications, making this assessment crucial.