A terminally ill patient you are caring for is complaining of pain. The physician has ordered a large dose of narcotic via intravenous infusion
You know that one of the side effects of this medicine is respiratory depression. When you assess your patient's respiratory status, you find that the rate has decreased from 16 breaths per minute to 10 breaths per minute. What action should you take?
A) Decrease the IV infusion
B) Stimulate the patient
C) Report the decreased respiratory rate to the physician
D) Allow the patient to rest comfortably
Ans: C
Feedback: End-of life issues that often involve ethical dilemmas include pain control, "do not resuscitate" orders, life-support measures, and administration of food and fluids. The risk of respiratory depression is not the intent of the action of pain control. Respiratory depression should not be used as an excuse to withhold pain medication for a terminally ill patient. The patient's respiratory status should be carefully monitored and any changes should be reported to the physician.
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