What is a critical assessment before administering meperidine?

Before administering meperidine, a critical assessment involves evaluating the respiratory rate. Meperidine is an opioid analgesic that can significantly depress the central nervous system, leading to respiratory depression, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect. It is essential to ensure that the patient has a stable respiratory function before giving this medication.

A low respiratory rate may indicate that the patient is already at risk of respiratory depression, and the administration of meperidine could exacerbate this condition. Therefore, pre-administration assessment of respiratory function allows the healthcare provider to identify potential complications and take necessary precautions, such as withholding the medication or preparing for interventions.

While monitoring blood pressure, pulse rate, and temperature are also important aspects of patient assessment, they do not specifically address the primary concern associated with meperidine administration, which is the risk of respiratory compromise.