A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is D: Withhold the benzodiazepine but continue the opioid. Benzodiazepines can potentiate sedation caused by opioids, leading to excessive somnolence. By withholding the benzodiazepine, the nurse can prevent further sedation while still providing pain relief with the opioid. Continuing the opioid is important to address the client's severe pain. Contacting the provider for an NSAID (choice B) may not provide adequate pain relief for severe pain compared to opioids. Continuing both medications (choice A) can exacerbate sedation. Administering the benzodiazepine alone (choice C) can worsen somnolence.