Which client should the nurse reassess first after administering IV morphine for pain relief?

In this scenario, the nurse should prioritize reassessing the 67-year-old client with obstructive sleep apnea after administering IV morphine for several crucial reasons related to safety and potential complications.

Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea are at an increased risk for respiratory depression, particularly when opioids like morphine are administered. Opioids can cause significant sedation and decreased respiratory drive, which can lead to hypoxemia and respiratory failures in patients with pre-existing conditions affecting their respiratory status. This group of patients may also have altered baseline respiratory function due to repeated episodes of hypoxia during sleep.

The other clients, while they may have significant health issues, do not present the same immediate respiratory risk associated with opioid administration. The 22-year-old with sickle cell anemia may require pain management but is not inherently at increased risk for respiratory complications. The 26-year-old with pneumonia also warrants monitoring but is expected to tolerate morphine to manage pain associated with respiratory illness without the same immediate concerns. Similarly, while the 55-year-old postoperative client may have pain concerns, they are less likely to experience severe respiratory impairment when compared to the client with obstructive sleep apnea.

Therefore, immediate reassessment of the patient with obstructive sleep apnea is critical to ensure their