A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a postoperative patient. Which are appropriate routine nursing actions when giving this drug? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Counting respirations before and after giving the medication
b. Encouraging physical activity and offering increased fluids
c. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure closely for hypertension
d. Palpating the patient's lower abdomen every 4 to 6 hours
e. Requesting an order for methylnaltrexone [Relistor] to prevent constipation

Answer 1

A, B, D
Respiratory depression, constipation, and urinary retention are common adverse effects of opioid analgesics. It is important to count respirations before giving the drug and periodically thereafter to make sure that respiratory depression has not occurred. Increased physical activity, increased fluid intake, and increased fiber help alleviate constipation. It is important to assess the patient's abdomen and palpate the bladder to make sure that urinary retention has not occurred. Patients taking morphine often experience hypotension, not hypertension. Methylnaltrexone is given as a last resort to treat constipation, because it blocks mu receptors in the intestine.