Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 82%
Simulated
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? Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Multiple morphine patches indicate an overdose, causing respiratory depression and sedation. Removing the patches stops further drug absorption, addressing the root cause. Oxygen or reversal drugs may follow, but removing the source is the priority to prevent worsening of the overdose.