When planning care for a cancer patient receiving morphine sulfate, which action should be prioritized by the nurse?

In the context of a cancer patient receiving morphine sulfate, monitoring the client's respiratory rate is crucial due to the opioid's potential side effects. Morphine is an effective analgesic; however, it can also cause respiratory depression, particularly in opioid-naive patients. This risk necessitates that the nurse closely monitors the patient's respiratory status as part of their vital signs assessment.

Given the potential for decreased respiratory function with opioid use, prioritizing respiratory rate monitoring ensures that any adverse effects can be identified and addressed quickly. This proactive approach can prevent serious complications, such as hypoxia or respiratory failure, thereby safeguarding the patient's wellbeing.

While assessing pain levels regularly, providing comfort measures, and encouraging deep breathing exercises are also important aspects of patient care, they do not hold the same degree of urgency as monitoring respiratory rate when it comes to the immediate risks associated with opioid therapy. These other interventions support pain management and overall comfort but should follow the critical need to ensure that the patient maintains safe respiratory function.