Question

A patient is prescribed morphine sulfate 4.0 mg intravenously for postoperative pain. Which action should the nurse take before administering the medication?

1) Monitor the patient's respiratory status.
2) Auscultate the patient's heart sounds.
3) Check blood pressure in supine and sitting positions.
4) Monitor the patient for psychological drug dependence.

Answer 1

It is crucial to monitor the patient's respiratory status before administering 4.0 mg of intravenous morphine sulfate for postoperative pain due to the risk of respiratory depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering morphine sulfate 4.0 mg intravenously for postoperative pain, the nurse should take several important actions to ensure patient safety. One critical step is to monitor the patient's respiratory status, as morphine, an opioid analgesic, can suppress the respiratory center in the brain, leading to decreased respiratory rate and depth. This is particularly important in the postoperative setting, where the patient may already have compromised respiratory function. The nurse may also need to check for allergies, verify the patient's identity, and confirm consent, but respiratory status is the most immediate concern before administering morphine.