The nurse is caring for a patient who will be using a hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PCA analgesia pump following surgery. Which intervention is the highest priority for the nurse to include in the patient's care plan related to this pump?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For patient safety, the nurse would check the patient's respirations frequently after the pump has been initiated due to possible respiratory depression. Reviewing the medication profile would occur prior to initiating the pump. Teaching the patient how to use the pump is important, but not the priority. Naloxone should be close by to treat respiratory depression but monitoring the respirations frequently would hopefully prevent depression.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Will Be