When a nurse checks a postoperative client for pain relief 30 minutes after the client started patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine, the client is sleeping and has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute

What is the nurse's best first action? A. Attempt to arouse the client by calling his or her name and lightly shaking the client's arm.
B. Administer oxygen by mask and apply an apnea monitor.
C. Document the finding as the only action.
D. Notify the physician immediately.


A
Many clients experience some degree of respiratory depression with opioid analgesics. If the client can be aroused with minimally intrusive techniques and increases the rate of respiration spontaneously, no further intervention is required.

Nursing

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