Which nursing consideration should be addressed prior to the administration of morphine to a patient with terminal cancer?

Which nursing consideration should be addressed prior to the administration of morphine to a patient with terminal cancer?

• A. Assess the requirement for an antiemetic to be administered at the same time as the morphine to prevent nausea or vomiting, or both.
• B. Administer the lowest dose of the range of morphine that has been prescribed by the physician.
• C. Assess the client for any previous history of narcotic abuse prior to administering the medication.
• D. Withhold administering the morphine if the patient’s respiratory rate is less than 15 respirations per minute.

Answer: (A)

Preventing opioid-induced nausea and vomiting is essential before giving morphine. Morphine frequently stimulates the vomiting center and slows gastric emptying, which can lead to distress, poor oral intake, dehydration, and even risk of aspiration—really important considerations in someone with terminal cancer where comfort and quality of life are the priorities. Giving an antiemetic at the same time as morphine helps keep nausea and vomiting at bay, so the patient can receive and benefit from the analgesia without these overwhelming side effects. Antiemetics work by blocking receptors involved in triggering nausea and vomiting, providing a smoother, more tolerable experience with opioid therapy. In palliative care, this proactive approach supports continuous pain relief and overall comfort. Starting with the lowest morphine dose or checking for a history of narcotic abuse isn’t as directly tied to immediate comfort during first administration, and withholding morphine solely because the respiratory rate is under a threshold can compromise symptom relief in someone with terminal illness. The focus here is to anticipate and prevent a common adverse effect to maximize tolerability of the opioid.

Preventing opioid-induced nausea and vomiting is essential before giving morphine. Morphine frequently stimulates the vomiting center and slows gastric emptying, which can lead to distress, poor oral intake, dehydration, and even risk of aspiration—really important considerations in someone with terminal cancer where comfort and quality of life are the priorities.

Giving an antiemetic at the same time as morphine helps keep nausea and vomiting at bay, so the patient can receive and benefit from the analgesia without these overwhelming side effects. Antiemetics work by blocking receptors involved in triggering nausea and vomiting, providing a smoother, more tolerable experience with opioid therapy. In palliative care, this proactive approach supports continuous pain relief and overall comfort.

Starting with the lowest morphine dose or checking for a history of narcotic abuse isn’t as directly tied to immediate comfort during first administration, and withholding morphine solely because the respiratory rate is under a threshold can compromise symptom relief in someone with terminal illness. The focus here is to anticipate and prevent a common adverse effect to maximize tolerability of the opioid.