Final answer:
For an adolescent on IV morphine, nurses should monitor the respiratory rate due to potential respiratory depression, encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration, administer laxatives to avoid constipation, and assess for urinary retention, a possible side effect of morphine.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an adolescent is receiving IV morphine for pain control, the nursing care plan will include several important interventions to ensure the patient's safety and comfort. These include:
- Monitor respiratory rate regularly - It is vital to check the respiratory rate because morphine can depress the respiratory system, leading to respiratory complications.
- Encourage increased fluid intake - Opioids like morphine can lead to dehydration and also reduce gastric motility, so maintaining adequate fluid intake is important.
- Administer laxatives to prevent constipation - Since morphine can slow the gastric system, constipation is a common side effect.
- Assess for signs of urinary retention - Morphine can also affect the urinary system, making it difficult for some patients to urinate.
Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly is not typically a concern with morphine administration unless the patient has a pre-existing condition that warrants it.