Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 151 of 2368

Before giving a scheduled oral opioid, the nurse finds the client is drowsy with a respiratory rate of 10/minute. What should the nurse do?

  1. Give half of the dose
  2. Give the dose and recheck in 4 hours
  3. Withhold the dose
  4. Give the dose with the head of the bed flat
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Correct answer: Withhold the dose

An opioid is withheld if the client is oversedated or the respiratory rate is below 12/minute.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Comfort: Implementing Pharmacological Interventions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026