A client with a prescription for morphine sulfate 2 mg IV every 4 hours PRN for pain reports the pain is a 10 on a 0 to 10 scale one hour after receiving the last administration. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

A. Administer an additional dose of morphine sulfate 2 mg IV: Administering another dose without verifying the prescribed limits may result in opioid toxicity. Morphine has a defined maximum dosage and dosing interval, and giving additional medication outside of the prescription could compromise safety. B. Review the medical record for additional pain medication prescriptions: The client continues to experience severe pain despite the last PRN dose. The nurse should first check the medical record for alternative or supplemental pain management orders, such as a higher dose, different opioid, or adjunctive medications. This ensures safe, evidence-based pain control without exceeding prescribed limits and allows the nurse to provide timely relief. C. Contact the healthcare provider about the frequency of pain medication: Contacting the provider may be necessary if no alternative orders exist or if the client consistently reports uncontrolled pain. However, this step should follow verification of the current orders in the medical record. Reviewing the prescription first ensures the nurse can provide safe interventions based on existing orders. D. Encourage the client to allow more time for the medication to work: Morphine IV typically has an onset of action within 5–10 minutes and a peak effect around 20 minutes. Waiting longer after one hour is unlikely to result in additional relief and may prolong the client’s severe pain unnecessarily.