When a postoperative patient in the PACU complains of pain at the abdominal incision site, the nurse should

Question

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In the immediate postoperative period, a reduced dose of opioid may be given to treat pain and prevent problems such as hypoventilation, but the scope of nursing practice does not permit nurses to administer a dose (such as half the ordered dose) that has not been ordered by the anesthesiologist or other provider. The nurse will need to consult with the ACP about an appropriate dose of medication. Analgesic orders on the postoperative orders are intended for use once the patient is stable and is transferred to the clinical nursing unit. Although opioid analgesics may decrease respiratory effort, patients who are having abdominal pain may have improvements in respiratory effort with appropriate analgesia.

When a Postoperative Patient in the PACU Complains of Pain