2024 PN NCLEX Questions Nursing Practice Question
A client is given an opiate drug for pain relief following general anesthesia. The client becomes extremely somnolent with respiratory depression. The physician is likely to order the administration of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Opiate drugs can cause respiratory depression and excessive sedation, making it crucial to reverse these effects. Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that effectively counteracts the effects of opiates, restoring normal respiratory function.
Labetalol (Normodyne) is an antihypertensive medication, not relevant in this scenario. Neostigmine (Prostigmin) is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for myasthenia gravis and does not address opioid overdose. Thiothixene (Navane) is an antipsychotic and would not reverse respiratory depression caused by opiates. Thus, naloxone is the appropriate choice for this clinical situation.