Nursing Assessments, Interventions, and Education for Patients Receiving Analgesics
Nursing Assessments, Interventions, and Education for Patients Receiving Analgesics ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving morphine sulfate for pain relief.
Which of the following findings indicates a potential adverse effect of the medication?
This indicates a potential adverse effect of morphine sulfate, which is respiratory depression. Morphine sulfate can suppress the respiratory center in the brainstem and decrease the rate and depth of breathing. A normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12 to 20 breaths/min.
Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg is within the normal range for an adult. Morphine sulfate can lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels, but this is not a serious adverse effect unless it causes hypotension or shock.
A heart rate of 72 beats/min is within the normal range for an adult. Morphine sulfate can slow down the heart rate by stimulating the vagus nerve, but this is not a serious adverse effect unless it causes bradycardia or cardiac arrest.
A temperature of 37°C (98.6°F) is within the normal range for an adult. Morphine sulfate does not affect body temperature significantly unless it causes an allergic reaction or overdose.
This indicates a potential adverse effect of morphine sulfate, which is respiratory depression. Morphine sulfate can suppress the respiratory centre in the brainstem and decrease the rate and depth of breathing. A normal respiratory rate for an adult is 12 to 20 breaths/min.
Choice B is wrong because blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg is within the normal range for an adult. Morphine sulfate can lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels, but this is not a serious adverse effect unless it causes hypotension or shock.
Choice C is wrong because a heart rate of 72 beats/min is within the normal range for an adult. Morphine sulfate can slow down the heart rate by stimulating the vagus nerve, but this is not a serious adverse effect unless it causes bradycardia or cardiac arrest.
Choice D is wrong because a temperature of 37°C (98.6°F) is within the normal range for an adult. Morphine sulfate does not affect body temperature significantly unless it causes an allergic reaction or overdose.