The laboring patient has rated her pain at 9 on a scale of 1-10, and she requests IV pain medication. She has refused epidural anesthesia, but her certified nurse-midwife (CNM) has ordered butorphanol tartrate (Stadol) for administration to the patient. Which action should the nurse complete next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should obtain informed consent from the patient before administering any medication, including butorphanol tartrate. The nurse should also educate the patient on the potential side effects and risks associated with the medication. While assessing maternal vital signs and FHR are important, obtaining consent for medication administration is the priority in this situation. The patient has already refused epidural anesthesia, so offering it again is not the best option at this time. Administering oxygen is not indicated based on the information provided.

The Laboring Patient Has Rated Her Pain at 9 on a Scale