Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with stage 4 cancer who has a prescription for a subcutaneous morphine sulfate patch for pain. The client is short of breath and difficult to arouse. During a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse finds four patches on the clientÔÇÖs body. What should be the nurseÔÇÖs first action?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Four morphine patches suggest overdose, causing respiratory depression and sedation. Removing the patches (C) stops further absorption. Naloxone (A) or oxygen (B) may follow, but removal is first. Blood pressure monitoring (D) is secondary.