The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with fractured metatarsals after slamming a hand in the car door After administering the prescribed hydrocodone/acetaminophen for pain, which intervention should the PN include in the client's care?

A. Encourage the client to resume normal activities after medication administration: While pain relief may improve mobility, encouraging normal activity immediately could risk injury. Activity should be guided by pain level and mobility limitations. B. Observe the client for involuntary movements of the lips and tongue: Involuntary movements are more commonly associated with long-term opioid use or neurological conditions, not a typical short-term adverse effect of hydrocodone/acetaminophen. C. Assess the skin daily for areas of ecchymosis or other signs of bleeding: While monitoring for bruising is appropriate for trauma, it is not directly related to the administration of hydrocodone/acetaminophen. D. Implement ongoing assessments for signs of shallow or slow breathing: Opioids like hydrocodone can depress the respiratory system. Monitoring for respiratory depression, especially after initial doses, is a critical safety intervention to prevent hypoxia and other complications.