NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse) Practice Exam · Question
A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic for severe pain. What is the most important assessment to perform before administering the medication?
Opioid analgesics can cause respiratory depression, so assessing the patient's respiratory status is crucial to ensure safety before administration.
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Question: A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic for severe pain. What is the most important assessment to perform before administering the medication?
Answer options:
- Patient's last bowel movement. ✅ Patient's respiratory rate and depth.
- Patient's pain level on a 0-10 scale.
- Patient's dietary intake over the last 24 hours.
Correct answer: Patient's respiratory rate and depth.
Explanation: Opioid analgesics can cause respiratory depression, so assessing the patient's respiratory status is crucial to ensure safety before administration.
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