A postoperative client using morphine patient-controlled analgesia is difficult to arouse and has a respirator…

Question

A postoperative client using morphine patient-controlled analgesia is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8/min. The nurse sees the client's spouse press the PCA button. Which action is the priority?

Accepted Answer

Option 2: Stop the spouse, stop the opioid delivery, support ventilation, activate urgent help, and prepare naloxone per protocol.

Only the client should activate a standard PCA button because sedation normally prevents additional self-dosing. A difficult-to-arouse client with 8 respirations/min has opioid-induced respiratory depression; the priority is to stop opioid delivery, support ventilation, summon urgent help, and prepare naloxone according to protocol. Documentation and education follow stabilization.

Answer

Option 1: Reset the PCA lockout interval and allow the spouse to continue pressing when the client appears uncomfortable.

Answer

Option 3: Document who pressed the button and reassess sedation and respirations after the next scheduled vital signs.

Answer

Option 4: Reduce the PCA dose and teach the spouse to press only when the client is asleep and cannot request medication.

A postoperative client using morphine patient-controlled analgesia is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8/min. The nurse sees the client's spouse press the PCA button. Which action is the priority?

In-depth explanation

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A postoperative client using morphine patient-controlled analgesia is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8/min. The nurse sees the client's spouse press the PCA button. Which action is the priority?

In-depth explanation

Master the NCLEX-RN with MyMerci