Assessing Respiratory Status Prior to Opioid Administration

Very Hard Pharmacological And Parenteral Therapies Pharmacological Pain Management

A 72-year-old patient with severe osteoarthritis has been hospitalized for pain management. The healthcare provider orders the following medications: acetaminophen 650 mg every 6 hours, ibuprofen 400 mg every 8 hours, and a transdermal fentanyl patch 25 mcg/hour. The nursing staff is to administer these medications as prescribed. Which of the following nursing actions is FIRST necessary before applying the fentanyl patch?

Assess the patient's pain level using a numerical scale.

Evaluate the patient's respiratory rate and depth.

Verify the patient's allergy history.

Educate the patient about the purpose of the fentanyl patch.

Hint

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