Question
A client on a medical-surgical unit reports pain of 10 on a scale of 0 to 10 and wants more pain medication. The nurse does not think the pain is as bad as the client says. The health care provider left orders for prn morphine for breakthrough pain. What is the priority nursing action?
Call the health care provider to check the order Hold the medication and wait 30 minutes Give the prn morphine Document the client's pain rating on a scale of 0 to 10
Call the health care provider to check the order Hold the medication and wait 30 minutes Give the prn morphine Document the client's pain rating on a scale of 0 to 10
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In this scenario, the priority nursing action is to **give the prn morphine**.
The client is reporting severe pain (rated 10 on a scale of 0 to 10) and has a standing order for prn (as needed) morphine for breakthrough pain. The nurse's personal assessment of the pain level should not override the client's report of their own pain. Prompt pain management is essential, especially in cases of reported severe pain.
After administering the medication, the nurse should also ensure that they document the client's pain rating and the administration of medication according to the facility's policy. However, the immediate action to relieve the client's pain should be the priority.
The client is reporting severe pain (rated 10 on a scale of 0 to 10) and has a standing order for prn (as needed) morphine for breakthrough pain. The nurse's personal assessment of the pain level should not override the client's report of their own pain. Prompt pain management is essential, especially in cases of reported severe pain.
After administering the medication, the nurse should also ensure that they document the client's pain rating and the administration of medication according to the facility's policy. However, the immediate action to relieve the client's pain should be the priority.