After administering naloxone to an unresponsive post-surgical client, which actions should the nurse take?

Assessing vital signs is crucial after administering naloxone, especially in an unresponsive post-surgical client. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose. Upon administration, the nurse must closely monitor the client’s respiratory function, heart rate, blood pressure, and level of consciousness.

These vital signs will help determine the effectiveness of the naloxone and whether the client is stabilizing or might need further intervention. Increased respiratory rates, improved consciousness, and stable cardiovascular parameters indicate that the naloxone is working. Conversely, any symptoms of respiratory depression, bradycardia, or hypotension that persist after administering naloxone would require immediate further intervention.

Other options might be relevant in certain situations; for instance, notifying the healthcare provider may be necessary later on or in cases where the client doesn't respond as expected. However, the immediate priority is to assess the vital signs to ensure that the client is recovering safely from the effects of opioid sedation or overdose.