Question

The nurse is administering a dose of morphine sulfate to a client via an epidural catheter after nephrectomy. Before administering the medication, What should the nurse plan to do?

1) Place the head of the bed flat.
2) Ensure that naloxone is readily available.
3) Flush the catheter with 6 mL of sterile water.
4) Aspirate with a syringe to ensure presence of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) return.

Answer 1

The nurse should ensure that naloxone is readily available before administering morphine sulfate via an epidural catheter after nephrectomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering a dose of morphine sulfate to a client via an epidural catheter after nephrectomy, the nurse should plan to ensure that naloxone is readily available. Naloxone is an opiate antagonist that can reverse the respiratory depression caused by morphine. It is important to have naloxone on hand in case of an overdose or adverse reaction.

Additionally, it is not necessary for the nurse to place the head of the bed flat or flush the catheter with sterile water before administering the medication. Aspiration with a syringe to ensure the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) return is not required for an epidural catheter.