A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving meperidine. Which of the following is the nurse’s priority assessment before administering the medication?
A.
Urinary retention
B.
Vomiting
C.
Respiratory rate
D.
Level of consciousness
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is:
C. Respiratory rate
Explanation: Meperidine is an opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression as a side effect. Therefore, assessing the respiratory rate is a priority before administering the medication to ensure that the client’s breathing is adequate. Respiratory depression can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, so it is crucial to monitor this parameter closely.
A. Urinary retention is a possible side effect of opioids but is generally not the immediate priority compared to respiratory rate.
B. Vomiting can occur with opioid use, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as respiratory depression.
D. Level of consciousness is important to assess but should be considered in conjunction with the respiratory rate since significant changes in consciousness can be related to respiratory depression or other severe effects.