What is the required action for a nurse administering IV morphine to manage pain?

The required action for a nurse administering IV morphine to manage pain is to reassess vital signs. After administering a medication like morphine, which is an opioid and can significantly affect the respiratory system and cardiac function, it is critical to monitor the patient's vital signs to ensure safety. Opioids can cause respiratory depression, hypotension, and sedation, so obtaining baseline vital signs and then reassessing them after administration allows the nurse to detect any adverse reactions or complications early.

Monitoring includes observing the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness. This helps in determining the effectiveness of the medication and whether any interventions are needed to address potential side effects. Recognizing changes in vital signs is a vital part of patient safety when using powerful analgesics like morphine.

Other actions, while important in the overall care of the patient, do not take priority immediately after administration. Notifying the patient's family or documenting medication refusal may be relevant in different contexts but are not immediate post-administration nursing responsibilities. Delaying notification of the physician would not align with the nurse's responsibility to advocate for the patient's health and safety. Thus, reassessing vital signs is the most direct and necessary step to ensure the patient's well-being following IV morphine administration