Question

The nurse notes that the physician has ordered meperidine for a 69-year-old patient. The nurse should:

1) Administer the meperidine in the dosage and according to the route specified by the physician's order.

2) Question the physician about the order, because meperidine is a nonopioid and can cause hepatotoxicity in the elderly or when taken in too high a dosage.

3) Question the physician about the order, because NSAIDs like meperidine have antiplatelet effects and can put an elderly patient at risk for stroke.

4) Question the physician about the order, because meperidine can cause mood alterations to seizures in elderly adults.

Answer 1

The nurse should administer the meperidine in the specified dosage and route.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should administer the meperidine in the dosage and according to the route specified by the physician's order. Meperidine is an opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain relief. It is commonly prescribed for elderly patients and can be safely used when the dosage and route are correctly followed.