RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 152 of 2368

A client is about to receive the first dose of an opioid. When should the nurse start the bowel management program?

  1. When the client first reports constipation or abdominal discomfort
  2. After three days of continuous opioid use have passed
  3. Only if the client is over 65 years old or has limited mobility
  4. With the first dose, and continue until the opioid is stopped
Show answer

Correct answer: With the first dose, and continue until the opioid is stopped

Opioids slow peristalsis, so bowel management begins with the first dose and continues until the opioid is discontinued.

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

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026