A nurse caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine 5 mg IM accidentally administers the whole 10 mg from the single-dose vial. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Report the incident to the pharmacy.
Notify the client's provider.
Measure the client's respiratory rate.
Complete an incident report.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Report the incident to the pharmacy. While the pharmacy may need to be informed, client safety is the priority. The immediate concern is monitoring the client for opioid overdose effects.
B. Notify the client's provider. The provider should be notified, but assessing the client's condition comes first so that the nurse can provide accurate information about any potential adverse effects.
C. Measure the client's respiratory rate. The priority action is to assess the client for signs of opioid toxicity, especially respiratory depression. Morphine can cause decreased respiratory rate, sedation, and hypotension. If the respiratory rate is dangerously low (e.g., below 12 breaths per minute), interventions such as administering naloxone (Narcan) may be necessary.
D. Complete an incident report. An incident report should be completed, but client safety and assessment take priority before documentation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A 21-year-old client who had a normal Pap test one year ago. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that cervical cancer screening (Pap test) begin at age 21, regardless of sexual history. Screening should be done every 3 years for individuals aged 21-29, assuming results are normal. Since this client had a Pap test one year ago, they do not need immediate screening but should follow the standard 3-year interval.
B. A 32-year-old client who had a total vaginal hysterectomy last year. A total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) for non-cancerous reasons generally means that Pap tests are no longer necessary. However, if the hysterectomy was due to cervical cancer, continued screening might be needed.
C. A 47-year-old client who had a negative combined Pap and HPV test 5 years ago. For clients 30-65 years old, Pap tests can be done every 3 years OR combined Pap and HPV (co-testing) every 5 years. Since this client had a negative co-test 5 years ago, they are due for screening now, but they would not have been referred earlier.
D. A 15-year-old client who recently completed the vaccine series for human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine does not replace the need for Pap tests but helps reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Routine Pap testing does NOT begin before age 21, so this client does not yet need screening.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Report the incident to the pharmacy. While the pharmacy may need to be informed, client safety is the priority. The immediate concern is monitoring the client for opioid overdose effects.
B. Notify the client's provider. The provider should be notified, but assessing the client's condition comes first so that the nurse can provide accurate information about any potential adverse effects.
C. Measure the client's respiratory rate. The priority action is to assess the client for signs of opioid toxicity, especially respiratory depression. Morphine can cause decreased respiratory rate, sedation, and hypotension. If the respiratory rate is dangerously low (e.g., below 12 breaths per minute), interventions such as administering naloxone (Narcan) may be necessary.
D. Complete an incident report. An incident report should be completed, but client safety and assessment take priority before documentation.
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