Editing Fundamentals of Nursing – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 11==
A patient with a new prescription for morphine for postoperative pain asks the licensed practical nurse what to expect. Which statement is most accurate to reinforce?
# "Constipation usually goes away after a few days as your body adjusts."
# "You should wait until the pain is severe before asking for the medication."
# "Constipation is common and does not improve with time, so we will start a bowel program along with the medication."
# "If you feel sleepy, that is unrelated to your breathing."

'''Answer:''' 3. Constipation is common and does not improve with time, so a bowel program is started along with the medication.

''Rationale:'' Tolerance develops to most opioid side effects, but not to constipation, so a bowel regimen with increased fluid, fiber, activity, and prescribed stool softeners or laxatives should begin when the opioid begins. Option 1 is incorrect for that reason. Option 2 is incorrect because pain is easier to control when treated before it becomes severe. Option 4 is dangerous misinformation; increasing sedation is the earliest warning sign of opioid induced respiratory depression and must be reported to the registered nurse promptly.