What adverse effect should a nurse watch for in a client who has received a preoperative dose of morphine?

When a client receives a preoperative dose of morphine, it is important for the nurse to monitor for urinary retention as a potential adverse effect. Morphine, being an opioid analgesic, can cause various side effects due to its action on the central nervous system and the urinary tract. One of the common effects of opioids like morphine is the inhibition of the normal urge to urinate, leading to complications such as urinary retention.

Opioids can affect the bladder's detrusor muscle, reducing its ability to contract effectively, which can result in difficulty in voiding. Postoperative clients are already at risk for urinary retention due to factors such as immobility, anesthesia, and altered fluid balance, making it even more crucial for the nurse to stay vigilant regarding monitoring urinary output and function.

While monitoring for respiratory depression is also essential in opioid therapy, the specific concern in the context of a preoperative dose of morphine primarily focuses on urinary retention. Other possible effects, such as rapid respirations, dilated pupils, or diarrhea, can be associated with other conditions or states, but they are not as directly linked to the administration of morphine as urinary retention.