Patient Data
The nurse needs to determine the priority assessment before administering morphine.
Select from Word Choices to complete the sentence.
Before administering morphine, the most important assessment to perform is to check the client's ______________
Temperature
Heart rate
Respiratory rate
Blood pressure
The Correct Answer is C
A. Temperature: While monitoring temperature is part of routine assessment, it does not directly affect the safe administration of morphine. Fever is not an immediate contraindication to opioid use.
B. Heart rate: Heart rate should be monitored, but morphine primarily depresses the respiratory system rather than significantly affecting heart rate in most cases.
C. Respiratory rate: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, especially in opioid-naive or older adults. Assessing the respiratory rate before administration ensures the client can safely tolerate the medication and allows for early detection of adverse effects.
D. Blood pressure: Morphine can cause hypotension, so blood pressure monitoring is important, but respiratory depression poses a more immediate life-threatening risk and takes priority before administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","E","F"]
Explanation
Rationale for Correct Choices:
- The client reports he was able to sleep through the night: Adequate rest indicates improved comfort and effective pain management postoperatively.
- The left arm is warm to touch: Warmth confirms adequate circulation and tissue perfusion following surgery.
- The client's left shoulder and collarbone are symmetric: Symmetry suggests proper surgical alignment and absence of acute displacement or swelling.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices:
- Continued numbness in the left arm, tingling, and inability to move fingers: These findings raise concern for possible neurovascular compromise or prolonged effects of the nerve block.
- Mild nausea and lack of desire to eat breakfast: This can be a transient side effect of anesthesia or analgesics but requires monitoring for persistence.
- A 3 cm × 5 cm area of blood noted on the bandage: Postoperative dressings should have minimal drainage, so this amount of blood warrants assessment for active bleeding or hematoma formation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Demonstrate to the PN how to position the client more effectively for the procedure: The nurse is responsible for ensuring correct positioning to optimize visualization and safety during a sigmoidoscopy. Providing guidance or demonstration supports safe practice and enhances the PN’s competence.
B. Arrange for unlicensed assistive personnel to assist the PN during the procedure: While additional assistance may be helpful, it does not address whether the client is positioned correctly, which is the immediate priority for procedural safety and effectiveness.
C. Assume care of the client and assign the PN to the care of a different client: Reassigning responsibilities may delay the procedure and does not utilize the opportunity for the PN to learn proper technique. Collaboration and teaching are preferred.
D. Acknowledge that the PN has positioned the client safely and correctly: Simply acknowledging the position without verifying or guiding may result in suboptimal visualization or risk to the client. The nurse must ensure accuracy rather than assume correctness.
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