Question

A client is prescribed a central nervous system stimulant medication for respiratory depression. Before administering the medication, which of the following would be most important for the nurse to assess?

A. Gastrointestinal Status
B. Reflexes
C. Pupil Check
D. Respiratory Rate"

Answer 1

Before administering a CNS stimulant for respiratory depression, it's most important for a nurse to assess the client's respiratory rate to understand the baseline respiratory function and monitor potential medication effectiveness and adverse effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is prescribed a central nervous system stimulant medication for respiratory depression, the most important assessment for a nurse to perform before administering the medication is to check the respiratory rate. This is crucial because central nervous system stimulants are intended to stimulate respiration and understanding the baseline respiratory function is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and to monitor for potential adverse effects.

Other assessments like gastrointestinal status, reflexes, and pupil check are important but secondary to the respiratory status in the context of administering a medication for respiratory depression.