When monitoring medication inventories for possible diversion or theft by nurses who abuse chemicals, what medication classifications should be monitored most closely? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]

A. While monitoring temperature is important in assessing for infection, it is not the priority assessment before administering morphine. Temperature does not directly relate to the immediate effects or risks associated with opioid administration.
B. Blood pressure monitoring is essential, especially in a postoperative patient. However, opioids primarily impact the respiratory system rather than directly causing significant changes in blood pressure. While hypotension can occur with opioids, it is not the most immediate concern when administering morphine.
C. This is the priority assessment. Opioids, including morphine, can cause respiratory depression, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect. Before administering morphine, it is crucial to assess the respiratory rate to ensure the patient is not at risk for respiratory distress. If the respiratory rate is low (typically less than 12 breaths per minute), the nurse may need to hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
D. While it is important to monitor heart rate, especially in postoperative patients, the primary concern with morphine administration is its effect on respiration. The heart rate may not be as critical to assess immediately before administering morphine as the respiratory rate is.

A. This statement is the most appropriate for an incident occurrence report. It provides a factual, objective description of what was observed without inferring causes or making assumptions about the patient’s actions. Clear documentation is critical in incident reports for accuracy and potential follow-up.
B. This statement includes assumptions about the patient's motivations and actions. It is speculative and not based on direct observation. Incident reports should avoid subjective interpretations and focus on what can be objectively verified.
C. Although this statement describes a potential scenario, it assumes that the patient was walking to the bathroom and that this was the cause of the fall. Since the nurse did not witness the event, this could be misleading and should be avoided in an incident report.
D. While documenting patient statements can be important, this particular comment is subjective and does not provide an objective account of the incident. It could also lead to potential blame without verifying the accuracy of the statement, which could complicate the report.