A patient in pain requests the prescribed pain medication, which is an opioid. Which nursing assessment is essential before administering the opioid?
Blood pressure
Temperature
Pulse
Respiratory
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Blood pressure matters but isn’t primary; opioids rarely cause acute hypotension initially, and respiratory depression is a more immediate life-threatening risk.
Choice B reason: Temperature is unrelated; opioids don’t primarily affect fever, and this assessment doesn’t address the critical safety concern of opioid administration.
Choice C reason: Pulse is secondary; opioids may slow heart rate mildly, but respiratory suppression is the urgent risk, requiring priority monitoring before dosing.
Choice D reason: Respiratory rate is critical; opioids depress the brainstem, risking apnea, and assessing breathing ensures safety before administering this high-risk medication.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Body fat levels influence subcutaneous absorption but are not the primary reason for choosing IM over SC injection in this scenario.
Choice B reason: Needle size varies by medication and patient factors, but this is not the defining reason for selecting IM over SC injection.
Choice C reason: IM injections deliver medication directly to muscle tissue with a rich vascular supply, ensuring faster absorption and onset compared to subcutaneous administration.
Choice D reason: IM injections are not inherently safer for patients at risk of bleeding; they carry similar risks and require proper assessment before administration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Withholding and rechecking ensures safety; a color change signals a potential error, and verifying the MAR against orders prevents administering the wrong drug.
Choice B reason: Assuming a change is risky; without confirmation, administering an unverified drug could harm the patient if it’s not the intended prescription.
Choice C reason: Administering then checking later endangers the patient; a wrong drug could cause adverse effects, and delayed verification violates safety protocols.
Choice D reason: Describing and giving without verification is unsafe; the red tablet may not match the order, risking incorrect treatment or allergic reactions.
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