Question

The nurse administers intravenous morphine sulfate to a patient for pain control. She will need to monitor her patient for which of the following adverse effects?

1) Decreased heart rate
2) Muscle weakness
3) Decreased urine output
4) Respiratory depression

Answer 1

The nurse should monitor the patient for decreased heart rate, muscle weakness, decreased urine output, and especially respiratory depression, which is a critical adverse effect of morphine sulfate.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse administers intravenous morphine sulfate for pain control, it's important to monitor the patient for several potential adverse effects. The adverse effects that need monitoring include: decreased heart rate, muscle weakness, decreased urine output, and notably, respiratory depression. As an analgesic and narcotic, morphine sulfate can reduce pain without loss of consciousness at lower doses, but at higher doses, it promotes drowsiness and loss of consciousness. Respiratory depression is a particularly critical adverse effect because it can be life-threatening, hence rapid intervention with opiate antagonists like naloxone may be required.