Morphine nursing considerations
Morphine's top nursing consideration is respiratory depression: assess the respiratory rate and sedation before and after dosing, and hold and reassess if the rate is under 12. Start a stool softener from the beginning for constipation, and keep naloxone available as the reversal agent.
What morphine does, and why the NCLEX tests it
Morphine is an opioid that binds mu receptors in the central nervous system to relieve pain, with sedation and slowed breathing as the trade-off. The exam's priority adverse effect is respiratory depression.
Key nursing considerations for morphine
Assess respiratory rate and sedation before and after dosing; hold and reassess if the rate is under 12.
Near-universal and does not improve over time; start a stool softener from the start.
Keep naloxone available; it is short-acting, so watch for re-sedation.
Sedation, pinpoint pupils, hypotension, and urinary retention.
Teach safe storage and disposal and no alcohol or driving.
How the NCLEX turns morphine into a question
Report a respiratory rate under 12 and excessive sedation (the priority), and persistent constipation.
Priority assess respiratory rate and sedation; hold and stimulate, give naloxone as ordered, and monitor for re-sedation.
Lab respiratory rate, sedation level, oxygen saturation, and pain score.
Teach prevent constipation with fluids, fiber, and a stool softener, do not drink alcohol or drive, take it exactly as prescribed, and store and dispose of it safely.
A post-op patient with a respiratory rate of 8 and heavy sedation after morphine. Hold the opioid, stimulate, give oxygen and naloxone, and monitor for re-sedation.
Quick answers
What is the priority adverse effect of morphine?
Respiratory depression. Assess the respiratory rate and sedation before and after dosing, and hold and reassess if the rate is under 12.
How is opioid constipation managed?
Start a stool softener or laxative from the beginning, along with fluids and fiber, because opioid constipation is near-universal and does not improve with time.
What is the antidote for morphine?
Naloxone. It is short-acting, so watch for the return of sedation and slow breathing and repeat as needed.
Keep studying
These pages build on each other. Work through the related classes, then pressure-test yourself against the free cheat sheet and the full guide.
Lithium
0.6 to 1.2 level, hydration, and toxicity signs.
Read the guide →Lithium level targets
0.6 to 1.2 therapeutic, 1.5 and up toxic.
Read the guide →Phenytoin
10 to 20 level, gum overgrowth, never stop abruptly.
Read the guide →Serotonin syndrome
The SSRI emergency: recognize the triad, stop the drug.
Read the guide →All high-yield drug classes
The seven most-tested classes on one page, each decoded the same way.
Open the overview →Antidotes & lab values cheat sheet
The must-know antidotes, drug levels, and lab cutoffs, free and printable.
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Every high-yield class, decoded the same way
You just read the morphine breakdown. The full guide runs all 54 high-yield drug classes on one repeatable system, then closes with the cram tables: antidotes, therapeutic drug levels, must-know lab values, the suffix sheet, and a final-week checklist.
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