A nurse is caring for a client who has breast cancer and is postoperative following a bilateral mastectomy. Which of the following statements indicates the client has an altered body image?

Choice A reason: Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes are not linked to morphine toxicity. Morphine, an opioid, depresses the central nervous system, reducing reflexes. Hyperactive reflexes suggest neurological or stimulant effects, not opioid overdose, which primarily causes respiratory and consciousness depression in affected clients.
Choice B reason: Fluid retention is not a primary sign of morphine toxicity. Morphine may cause urinary retention via sphincter tone increase, but fluid overload is unrelated. Toxicity manifests as respiratory depression or sedation, driven by mu-opioid receptor overstimulation, not fluid balance alterations.
Choice C reason: Prolonged QT interval is associated with medications like antiarrhythmics, not morphine. Morphine toxicity primarily causes respiratory depression and sedation via central nervous system effects. Cardiac effects are rare, and QT prolongation is not a hallmark of opioid overdose in clinical settings.
Choice D reason: Bradypnea indicates morphine toxicity, as opioids depress the brainstem’s respiratory center via mu-receptor overstimulation. This slows breathing, risking hypoxia and respiratory arrest, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate intervention like naloxone to reverse opioid effects and restore normal respiratory function.

Choice A reason: Removing restraints immediately risks safety, as the client’s calm state may not be sustained. Restraints require gradual removal after ensuring sustained behavioral stability, per facility policy and safety standards. Frequent monitoring is needed to assess ongoing safety, making this action premature and potentially unsafe.
Choice B reason: Encouraging group therapy is inappropriate while the client remains in restraints, as it does not address the immediate need to evaluate their behavior for safe restraint removal. Therapy may be beneficial later, but ongoing monitoring is the priority to ensure safety and compliance with restraint protocols.
Choice C reason: Continuing to monitor the client every 15 minutes ensures safety while assessing sustained calm and cooperative behavior. This adheres to restraint protocols, which require frequent checks to evaluate the need for continued restraint, prevent complications, and plan for safe removal, making it the correct action.
Choice D reason: Administering a sedative to maintain calm behavior is inappropriate without a current medical order or ongoing aggression. Sedatives carry risks like oversedation or respiratory depression. Monitoring the client’s behavior is the priority to determine if restraints can be safely discontinued, making this action unnecessary and potentially harmful.