Question

a nurse is caring for a client who is taking codeine. which of the following assessments should the nurse identify as the priority? blood pressure apical heart rate respiratory rate level of consciousness

Explanation:

Codeine is an opioid analgesic, and its most life-threatening adverse effect is respiratory depression. Priority nursing assessments focus on the most critical risk to the client's immediate safety, making respiratory rate the top priority to monitor for this complication.

Answer:

Respiratory rate