The nurse admits a client with a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. The client has a prescription to wear a subcutaneous morphine sulfate patch for pain. The client is short of breath and difficult to arouse.

While performing a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse discovers four patches on the client’s body. Which action should the nurse take first?

The correct answer is C. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.

Choice A reason:

Advise the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes.

While it is important to inform the client about the onset of action of the medication, this is not the highest priority. Codeine, an opioid, can cause dizziness and sedation, which increases the risk of falls. Therefore, safety measures take precedence over informing the client about the medication’s onset time.

Choice B reason:

Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic.

Opioids like codeine can cause constipation, so administering a stool softener or laxative is a good practice. However, this action is not the highest priority when considering the immediate safety of the client. Ensuring the client’s safety from potential falls due to dizziness or sedation is more urgent.

Choice C reason:

Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.

This is the correct answer because codeine can cause dizziness, sedation, and orthostatic hypotension, increasing the risk of falls. Ensuring the client requests assistance when moving can prevent potential injuries, making it the highest priority nursing action.

Choice D reason:

Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.

While it is important for the client to communicate about the effectiveness of pain relief, this is not the highest priority. The immediate concern is the client’s safety due to the sedative effects of codeine. Therefore, preventing falls and injuries takes precedence.

The client’s symptoms of being short of breath and difficult to arouse may indicate an overdose of morphine. The nurse should immediately remove the patches to prevent further absorption of the drug. After removing the patches, the nurse should continue to assess the client’s condition and take further actions as needed, such as administering a narcotic reversal drug or providing oxygen.

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