The 14-year-old patient was admitted following surgical reduction of an open femur fracture. The patient, who has reported good pain control with the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, is sleeping peacefully. During hourly rounding, the nurse observes the parent press the button to administer the bolus of pain medication. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

The patient receiving a continuous hydromorphone infusion for severe cancer pain is found to be unconscious with a respiratory rate of 7 breaths per minute. Which action does the nurse take first?

The patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who has been noncompliant with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) presents to the emergency department with a productive cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The patient’s chest x-ray reveals diffuse infiltrates bilaterally and the CD4 count is 182 cells/µL. Which question by the nurse is most important?