Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Full-length
A client is given morphine 6 mg IV push for postoperative pain. Following administration of this drug, the nurse observes the following: pulse 68, respirations 8, BP 100/68, client sleeping quietly. Which of the following nursing actions is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
A respiratory rate of 8 is dangerously low, indicating opioid-induced respiratory depression, a life-threatening side effect of morphine. Administering naloxone (Narcan) reverses this effect. Allowing the client to sleep risks further respiratory compromise, oxygen may be used after naloxone, and epinephrine is irrelevant.