A nurse is caring for a patient who reports pain in his left leg that he rates as an 8 on a scale from 0 to 10 and states that he feels tingling and numbness in his toes.

The patient has an order for morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus PRN every two hours for pain greater than 7, last administered three hours ago, and ibuprofen 400 mg PO PRN every four hours for pain less than or equal to 7, last administered six hours ago.

What action should the nurse take first?

The correct answer is choice C. Assess the patient’s leg for circulation, sensation, and movement.

This is because the patient’s symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness in his left leg could indicate a potential complication of impaired blood flow or nerve damage after surgery. The nurse should prioritize assessing the patient’s leg for any signs of compromised circulation, sensation, or movement before administering any pain medication.

Choice A is wrong because administering morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus without assessing the patient’s leg could mask the symptoms of a serious problem and delay appropriate interventions. Morphine sulfate is a potent opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression, sedation, and constipation.

Choice B is wrong because administering ibuprofen 400 mg PO without assessing the patient’s leg could also mask the symptoms of a serious problem and delay appropriate interventions. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, renal impairment, and increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Choice D is wrong because reassessing the patient’s pain in 15 minutes without assessing the patient’s leg could result in the worsening of the patient’s condition and increased risk of complications. The nurse should not delay assessing the patient’s leg for any signs of impaired circulation, sensation, or movement.