Question

A patient is prescribed morphine sulfate 4 mg intravenously for postoperative pain. Which action should the nurse take before administering the medication?

1) Monitor the patients respiratory status.

2) Auscultate the patients heart sounds.

3) Check blood pressure in supine and sitting positions.

4) Monitor the patient for psychological drug dependence.

Answer 1

The nurse must monitor the patient's respiratory status before administering intravenous morphine sulfate 4 mg since morphine can cause respiratory depression. This is a safety measure to promptly address any adverse effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering morphine sulfate 4 mg intravenously to a patient for postoperative pain, the nurse should monitor the patient's respiratory status. Morphine, being an opioid, can depress the respiratory system leading to respiratory arrest in severe cases. Monitoring ensures that if the patient exhibits signs of respiratory distress or depression, prompt action can be taken, potentially including the administration of naloxone, an opiate antagonist that reverses the effects of opioids like morphine.