ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam Related

Review ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam related questions and content

A client receiving morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) should have naloxone administered if their respiratory rate is below 10/min. What action should the nurse take?

  • A. Monitor the client's blood pressure every 4 hours.
  • B. Ask the client to rate their pain every 2 hours.
  • C. Administer naloxone if the client's respiratory rate is below 10/min.
  • D. Evaluate the client's use of the PCA every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to administer naloxone if the client's respiratory rate falls below 10/min. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, which is a life-threatening situation. Monitoring the client's blood pressure every 4 hours (Choice A) is not the priority in this scenario as respiratory depression requires immediate attention. Asking the client to rate their pain every 2 hours (Choice B) is important for pain management but addressing respiratory depression takes precedence. Evaluating the client's use of the PCA every 4 hours (Choice D) is a routine nursing intervention but does not directly address the urgent need to reverse respiratory depression in this case.