Before administering opioid medication to a client in pain, what important action should the nurse take?

The most important action before administering opioid medication is to check the client's vital signs. This step is crucial because opioids can significantly affect respiratory function, and monitoring vital signs helps ensure the client's safety. Changes in vital signs, particularly respiratory rate and blood pressure, can indicate how the client is responding to pain relief and whether they might be at risk for adverse effects such as respiratory depression.

By checking the client's vital signs prior to administering the medication, the nurse establishes a baseline. This allows for ongoing assessment after the medication is given to ensure that the client remains stable and that the opioid is administered safely. The other actions, while important in the overall process of medication administration, do not take precedence over the immediate need to assess the client's physical condition and ensure their safety with respect to the administration of opioid medications.