A nurse is planning care for a client who is experiencing opioid toxicity. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?

A) Morphine 2 mg IV: Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic commonly used to manage moderate to severe pain. However, in this scenario, the client reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10, which indicates moderate pain. Morphine 2 mg IV may be excessive for this level of pain and could result in unnecessary sedation, respiratory depression, or other opioid-related adverse effects. Therefore, it is not the most appropriate choice for managing the client's pain.

B) Amitriptyline 25 mg PO: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with analgesic properties, but it is not typically used as a first-line treatment for acute postoperative pain. Additionally, it is administered orally and may not provide rapid pain relief in the immediate postoperative period. Therefore, it is not the most suitable option for managing the client's pain after a total knee replacement surgery.

C) Ketorolac 15 mg IV: Ketorolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that provides potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is commonly used for the management of moderate to severe pain, including postoperative pain. In this scenario, the client reports moderate pain after total knee replacement surgery, making ketorolac an appropriate choice for pain management. Administering ketorolac 15 mg IV can provide effective pain relief without the sedative effects of opioids, making it the most suitable PRN medication for the client's pain level.

D) Acetaminophen 650 mg PO: Acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic commonly used for mild to moderate pain relief. While acetaminophen is generally safe and effective, it may not provide sufficient pain relief for a client who reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 after total knee replacement surgery. Additionally, oral administration may result in delayed onset of action compared to IV medications. Therefore, acetaminophen 650 mg PO may not be the most optimal choice for managing the client's pain in this situation.

A) Grasp skin between thumb and forefinger throughout the injection: This is the correct answer. Grasping the skin between the thumb and forefinger creates tension, which helps to stabilize the tissue during the injection. This technique reduces the risk of tissue damage and minimizes bleeding following the injection of heparin subcutaneously.

B) Aspirate the syringe prior to injecting the heparin: Aspiration is not necessary for subcutaneous injections, as the risk of intravascular injection is minimal. Aspirating the syringe can increase discomfort for the client and is not recommended for subcutaneous injections.

C) Use the Z-track method to administer the medication: The Z-track method is used for intramuscular injections to minimize medication leakage into the subcutaneous tissue. However, heparin is typically administered subcutaneously, and the Z-track method is not appropriate for this route of administration.

D) Gently massage the site following the injection: Massaging the site following a subcutaneous injection of heparin can increase the risk of bleeding and hematoma formation. Therefore, this action should be avoided to minimize bleeding at the injection site.