Patient Data

Exhibits

The nurse is anticipating which additional medications the healthcare provider may prescribe for the client to manage side effects while on morphine sulfate.
Select the 3 medications that would be most appropriate to manage the side effects of morphine sulfate.

A. Left arm that is cool to touch: A cool extremity can indicate impaired circulation, which is a priority concern after trauma. It may suggest compromised perfusion or neurovascular compromise, requiring immediate further investigation.

B. Decreased range of motion: The inability to move the left arm signals possible fracture, dislocation, or neurovascular impairment. Limited mobility after trauma should always be investigated to determine the extent of musculoskeletal injury.

C. Swelling at the site of injury: Swelling is expected following trauma and does not necessarily indicate a complication. While it should be monitored, it is not as urgent to investigate further compared with circulation or alignment changes.

D. Intense pain reported by client: Severe, constant pain out of proportion to the injury raises concern for complications such as compartment syndrome, fracture, or vascular compromise. This finding requires prompt further assessment and intervention.

E. Oxygen saturation 95% on room air: Although slightly lower than ideal, this level is still acceptable in an older adult and not immediately alarming. It does not require urgent further investigation compared to other more critical findings.

F. Blood pressure of 136/90 mm Hg: This blood pressure indicates mild hypertension but is not an acute concern in the setting of trauma. It does not require urgent investigation at this point.

G. Nausea and fatigue reported by client: These symptoms may suggest a head injury, concussion, or internal response to trauma. Given the reported head impact, these findings warrant further neurological evaluation.

H. Bone misalignment: Visible misalignment strongly suggests fracture or dislocation. This finding must be investigated further to confirm the diagnosis and prevent neurovascular complications.

A. Assess the abdomen for bowel sounds: Monitoring bowel sounds is important during opioid therapy because morphine can cause constipation. However, this assessment does not take priority when initiating PCA therapy, as it does not immediately affect safe administration or pain control.

B. Initiate the dosage lockout mechanism on the PCA pump:The lockout mechanism is the most critical safety feature of a PCA pump. It prevents the client from administering a second dose of medication before the first dose has had time to take effect. By strictly limiting the frequency of doses (e.g., a 6-to-10-minute lockout period), the pump prevents accidental overdose and toxicity. While all the listed options are part of the nursing process, ensuring the mechanical safety of the high-alert medication delivery system is the priority during the initiation phase.

C. Instruct the client to use the medication before the pain becomes severe: Teaching about preemptive use improves pain control and prevents breakthrough pain, but this instruction is most effective after determining that the client can understand and use the PCA system appropriately.

D. Assess the client's ability to use a numeric pain scale:The nurse must ensure the client can communicate their pain level to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. However, this is a baseline assessment that should ideally occur before the initiation of the pump. It does not carry the same immediate safety weight as securing the pump's lockout mechanism.