A nursing assistant, observing the licensed practical nurse (LPN) prepare medication for a patient asks why so much morphine is being provided since patients have quit breathing after receiving such a high dose
The patient has been receiving the same dose of medication for several days without respiratory compromise. Which response by the LPN is best?
a. "I am a licensed professional and am able to decide what a safe dose is for my patient."
b. "You are correct; several days of this high a dose could be cumulative and cause problems."
c. "As long as I monitor the patient closely after giving the dose, breathing will not be affected."
d. "As long as the dose is increased gradually, patients develop tolerance to the side effects of morphine."
ANS: D
Morphine is an opioid agonist. Opioid doses can be escalated (titrated upward) indefinitely as needed as the patient's pain increases. B. As long as it is titrated slowly, tolerance to respiratory depression will develop. C. Monitoring may identify respiratory depression, but it will not prevent it. A. This statement blocks communication and does not take advantage of a teaching opportunity.
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