Pain Management Nursing Practice Exam 2025 - Free Pain Management Practice Questions and Study Guide

The approach of thoroughly assessing the client to determine the cause of excessive sedation is essential in pain management, especially for those on opioids. This step is critical because excessive sedation may indicate a variety of underlying issues, such as opioid overdose, interactions with other medications, or changes in the client’s physiological status.

By performing a comprehensive assessment, the nurse can gather vital information such as the client's vital signs, level of consciousness, oxygen saturation, and any other symptoms that could elucidate the cause of the sedation. This structured evaluation enables the nurse to make informed clinical decisions and effectively communicate findings to the healthcare team, ensuring a tailored approach to the client’s needs.

In contrast, simply increasing the opioid dosage is not recommended without understanding the reason behind the sedation, as this could exacerbate the situation and lead to serious complications. Immediate notification of the physician is vital, but it should ideally follow the assessment, which can provide context for the physician's decision-making. Reassurance alone, without addressing the underlying cause, may lead to neglecting a potentially serious condition, ignoring the need for timely intervention.