RN Exam Practice
Management of CareQuestion 1427 of 2368

A client has just received a sedative and an opioid and is handed a health care document to sign. What should the nurse do?

  1. Have the client sign now since the pain is controlled and the client is calm
  2. Read the document aloud slowly to the client and then have them sign it
  3. Wait to have the client sign until the effects of the medication have worn off
  4. Ask the client to initial each page of the document instead of signing it
Show answer

Correct answer: Wait to have the client sign until the effects of the medication have worn off

Sedatives and some pain medications impair the ability to receive and perceive messages, so documents cannot be signed after taking them.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Communication: Overcoming Common Barriers to Communication. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Management of Care"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026