Practice Question
A nurse is administering meperidine 100 mg IM for a client who is admitted with a pelvic fracture. Following the injection, which of the following data is the priority for the nurse to check?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Respiratory rate
Rationale:
🔴 Meperidine is an opioid analgesic that depresses the central nervous system, leading to a decreased respiratory rate and depth.
🔴 Monitoring the client’s respiratory rate is the priority assessment because opioid-induced respiratory depression is life-threatening and can occur rapidly after administration.
🔴 Early detection of a declining respiratory rate (below 12 breaths/min) allows the nurse to intervene promptly, such as stimulating the client, administering oxygen, or preparing for naloxone administration.
🔴 Continuous monitoring of respiratory function ensures safe pain management and prevents hypoxia or cardiac arrest.
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This question is from ATI Medical surgical content assessment 1 which contains 44 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 4