Morphine

What an odd, out-of-the-blue question. Elaborate, please.

Is this homework?

As opposed to....?

Given a choice between IVP morphine and thumping a patient on the head with a cast-iron skillet, off to the Pyxis I'll go...

Sorry, I should have elaborated.... I am a student and the order of morphine read SC or IV so as the pt has a cannula I thought that would be the best route... Well the preceptor almost had kittens and said never give morphine IV but then did not elaborate himself as to why. So I was wondering why....?

Where are you from? I have never given morphine SC but have given 1000s and 1000s of IV doses. IV is the common route in my setting.

Sorry, I should have elaborated.... I am a student and the order of morphine read SC or IV so as the pt has a cannula I thought that would be the best route... Well the preceptor almost had kittens and said never give morphine IV but then did not elaborate himself as to why. So I was wondering why....?

Morphine is very, very commonly given by IV. I've never given it SC. If you give it too fast by IV that can be a big problem, but as long as you're not giving a bolus of it rapid IV push, it's not usually a problem.

I've given it SL, PO, and IV over the years... by far most frequently by IV.

Thank you all this has been helpful.

Sometimes, depending on your program & facility, students aren't allowed to give IV push narcotics; maybe that was what she meant? Two programs in our area are like this and it's funny because we are all at the same hospitals.

We were able to do it with standby supervision on our first med/surg rotation and then were allowed to do so independently after sign off during the "advanced" rotation. We were on an oncology unit and ended up given it IV (in to ports and CVA lines no less) nearly daily, along with setting up PCAs. PCA programming always required a licensed nurse sign off before you push the go button, however. Because of the side effect issues this was something that had a standing protocol for administration but as long as it was followed you were good to go.

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My husband, in hospice, said that he has seen it being give SC before, also. He said it's generally on a pump.

Go figure!

The only possible reason I can think of is that your instructor didn't want you, as a student, to push morphine. It's a common restriction for students, for good reason. Other than that, I cannot for the life of me think why a nurse would say not to give IV morphine!