In the postpartum recovery room, which order related to a patient receiving Duramorph raises a nurse's concern for clarification?

Prepare for the AWHONN POEP Exam with interactive questions and comprehensive review. Utilize flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and insightful hints to master the material. Excel on your perinatal certification journey!

Monitoring respirations every 6 hours for 24 hours raises a nurse's concern for clarification in the context of a patient receiving Duramorph, which is a form of morphine used for pain management. Given that Duramorph can significantly depress the respiratory system, more frequent monitoring than every 6 hours is warranted within the first 24 hours following administration. Opioids like Duramorph can lead to respiratory depression, particularly in the immediate postpartum period where patients may still be recovering from anesthesia and other medications.

Regular and vigilant assessment of respiratory status is crucial, especially in the early hours following surgery or childbirth when the risk of complications such as respiratory depression is highest. Therefore, the expectation for close monitoring of respirations is typically more frequent, generally every 1 to 2 hours, especially during the first 24 hours after opioid administration. This ensures timely intervention should the patient's respiratory function deteriorate.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy