During burn therapy, morphine is primarily administered IV for pain management because this route:

During burn therapy, morphine is primarily administered IV for pain management because this route:
A . Delays absorption to provide continuous pain relief
B . Facilitates absorption because absorption from muscles is not dependable
C . Allows for discontinuance of the medication if respiratory depression develops
D . Avoids causing additional pain from IM injections

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Answer: B

Explanation:

(A) Absorption would be increased, not decreased.

(B) IM injections should not be used until the client is hemodynamically stable and has adequate tissue perfusion. Medications will remain in the subcutaneous tissue with the fluid that is present in the interstitial spaces in the acute phase of the thermal injury. The client will have a poor response to the medication administered, and a “dumping” of the medication can occur when the medication and fluid are shifted back into the intravascular spaces in the next phase of healing.

(C) IV administration of the medication would hasten respiratory compromise, if present.

(D) The desire to avoid causing the client additional pain is not a primary reason for this route of administration.