A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus. Available is morphine sulfate 10 mg/mL How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

(Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Correct Answer: B. Position the sterile drape leaving the perineum exposed.

Rationales

A. Lubricate the catheter with water-soluble gel.
Lubrication is important to reduce urethral trauma, but this is not the first step once the sterile field is prepared. It comes after draping and cleansing, just before catheter insertion.

B. Position the sterile drape leaving the perineum exposed.
This is the first action after donning sterile gloves and preparing the field. Draping maintains a sterile environment and provides access to the insertion site. Ensuring sterility from the beginning is critical for preventing catheter-associated infections.

C. Cleanse the client’s meatus with antiseptic solution.
Cleansing the meatus is done after draping to reduce the risk of introducing microorganisms during catheter insertion. Although essential, it is not the very first step once the sterile procedure begins.

D. Attach a prefilled syringe to the catheter inflation hub.
The balloon should not be prepared or inflated until after the catheter has been inserted and urine return is observed. Attaching the syringe too early may risk accidental inflation outside the bladder.

A. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the duty to fulfill one's commitments and obligations. While important in nursing practice, fidelity is not directly applicable to the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario.
B. Veracity: Veracity refers to truthfulness and honesty in communication. While it is important for the nurse to communicate honestly with the client and their family about the risks and benefits of pain management, the decision not to administer pain medication is primarily based on the principle of non-maleficence.
C. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. While pain relief may contribute to the overall well-being of the client, the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario is more closely aligned with the principle of non-maleficence, as it focuses on avoiding harm to the individual client.
D. Non-maleficence: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do no harm. In this situation, the nurse's primary concern is to avoid causing harm to the client. Administering pain medication to relieve suffering, even if it might hasten death, aligns with the principle of non-maleficence because the intent is to alleviate suffering and provide comfort to the dying client.