Final answer:
The nurse's immediate priority is to assess the patient for signs of opioid overdose and administer naloxone if indicated, ensure the patient's airway is open, provide oxygen, call for medical help, and prepare for resuscitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority nursing action when a patient is found difficult to arouse and with a respiratory rate (RR) of 6 breaths per minute, especially after receiving hydromorphone, is to assess the patient for opioid overdose. This situation is a medical emergency. The low respiratory rate indicates respiratory depression, a serious side effect of opioids. The nurse should immediately administer naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to reverse the effects of hydromorphone if indicated and as per hospital protocol. Simultaneously, the nurse should ensure the patient's airway is patent, provide supplemental oxygen, call for medical assistance, and prepare for possible resuscitation. Monitoring the patient's vital signs, particularly oxygen saturation, and providing continuous assessment are also crucial.