What should the nurse do before administering morphine to Bridgett?

Before administering morphine to a patient, it is critical for the nurse to prepare the medication and verify patient details. This step ensures that the right patient is receiving the correct medication and dosage, which is essential for patient safety, particularly with opioids like morphine that have a high potential for harm if administered incorrectly.

Verifying patient details includes checking the patient’s identity using at least two identifiers (such as name and date of birth), confirming the prescribed dosage, and ensuring that there are no contraindications or allergies. This process minimizes the risk of medication errors and makes sure that the nurse has all necessary information prior to administration.

While discussing potential side effects, consulting on dosage, and documenting pain assessments are all important parts of patient care, the immediate priority before giving morphine is to ensure that the preparation and patient verification are correctly completed. This foundational step is vital to promote safety and effectiveness in medication administration.