What is the best action for a hospice nurse if a client in severe pain requests an increase in morphine dosage with a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute?

In the context of hospice care, managing pain effectively is a top priority, especially when a patient is experiencing severe pain. When a client in this situation requests an increase in morphine, it's crucial to carefully weigh the benefits against the potential risks associated with opioid administration, particularly the respiratory effects.

Choosing to titrate the morphine dose upward is appropriate because in hospice settings, the focus is on comfort and quality of life. Morphine is a potent opioid that is commonly used for pain management in advanced illness, and patients with significant pain often require higher doses to achieve adequate relief. The goal is to balance pain control with the patient's overall well-being, which may include accepting a degree of risk when necessary to alleviate distress.

While a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute indicates respiratory depression, which is a known side effect of morphine, it also highlights the necessity of individualized care. In some cases, particularly at the end of life, the benefits of pain relief may override the risks associated with a low respiratory rate. Moreover, other factors such as the patient's overall condition, the severity of pain, and the potential for reassessment following administration of the medication are taken into consideration. The hospice nurse should closely monitor the patient for changes in respiratory status after