One hour after receiving intravenous morphine sulfate, a patient reports generalized itching. The nurse assesses the patient and notes clear breath sounds, no rash, respirations of 14 breaths per minute, a heart rate of 68 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. Which action will the nurse take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing a common side effect of morphine sulfate, which is generalized itching. Naloxone is used for opiate overdose, which is not the case here, and there are no indications of an anaphylactic reaction, so epinephrine is not needed. The patient's vital signs are stable, so resuscitation equipment is not necessary. Therefore, the best action is to reassure the patient that itching is a common side effect of this drug. The nurse can also offer a non-pharmacological intervention such as cool compresses or distraction techniques to alleviate the itching.

One Hour After Receiving Intravenous Morphine Sulfate, a Patient Reports