A nurse is planning to administer an opioid analgesic intravenously (IV) to a client returning from surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Monitor for seizures with repeated doses: Seizures are not a common adverse effect of opioids. While high doses may rarely lower the seizure threshold, this is not a primary concern during routine IV opioid administration post-surgery. B. Protect the client's skin from the diarrhea that occurs with opioid analgesics: Opioids commonly cause constipation, not diarrhea. Nurses should monitor for bowel movement frequency and manage constipation proactively rather than expect skin breakdown from diarrhea. C. Withhold the opioid analgesic if client's respiratory rate is less than 12/min: Opioids depress the respiratory center in the brain, making respiratory rate a critical assessment. If the rate drops below 12/min, the dose should be held and the healthcare provider notified due to the risk of respiratory depression. D. Monitor for the hypertension that occurs with opioid analgesics: Opioids often cause hypotension, especially when administered IV due to vasodilation. Monitoring for hypertension is not necessary unless there is a separate cardiovascular issue present.