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 C
Explanation
A. "Rhythmic respirations." Normal, rhythmic breathing is not typically associated with pain. Pain may cause labored, irregular, or rapid breathing.
B. "Absent cry." The FLACC scale assesses crying as an indicator of pain. However, an absent cry does not suggest pain. A strong, continuous cry or moaning may indicate discomfort.
C. "Resisting care." Clients with pain often resist movement, care, or interventions due to discomfort or distress. This is a key indicator of pain in the FLACC scale (Activity or Consolability sections).
D. "Relaxed posturing." A relaxed posture suggests comfort, while pain often leads to rigid or tense positioning.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. High-pitched wheezing Wheezing indicates airway constriction, which is a sign of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. This requires immediate intervention (e.g., stopping the medication, administering epinephrine, and providing oxygen).
B. Urticaria over the entire body While urticaria (hives) is a sign of an allergic reaction, it is not as urgent as airway compromise. It should still be reported but does not take immediate priority over wheezing.
C. Pruritis of the face Facial itching is a mild allergic reaction but does not indicate imminent airway compromise like wheezing does.
D. Rhinitis with clear discharge Nasal congestion or a runny nose can be a mild allergic reaction but is not an emergency.
Priority action: Apply the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, which prioritizes airway compromise (wheezing) over skin-related allergic reactions.
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