Final answer:
The nurse should continue the current dose of the analgesic to maintain comfort for the client who is actively dying and unresponsive. Monitoring vital signs is important, and if respiratory depression occurs, naloxone may be used to reverse effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is caring for a client who is actively dying and has become unresponsive due to receiving high doses of opioid analgesics. In such a situation, the nurse's primary goal is to maintain the patient's comfort while avoiding exacerbating any adverse effects of the medication. Since the client is unresponsive but not showing signs of respiratory distress, it may be appropriate to continue the analgesic at the current dose to keep the patient comfortable. The answer to the student's question is to Continue the analgesic at the current dose. It is essential to monitor the patient's vital signs regularly, and if signs of respiratory depression occur, an opioid antagonist like naloxone (Narcan) could be considered to reverse the effects. This decision should be made in collaboration with the physician and in accordance with the patient's wishes or advanced directives