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: In cases of opiate-induced respiratory depression and extreme somnolence, naloxone (Narcan) is the appropriate choice as it is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of opioids.
Labetalol (Normodyne) is an antihypertensive medication and does not address respiratory depression caused by opioids. Neostigmine (Prostigmin) is a cholinesterase inhibitor used primarily for myasthenia gravis and does not counteract opioid effects. Thiothixene (Navane) is an antipsychotic medication that has no role in treating opioid overdose. Thus, naloxone is the most effective and specific treatment in this scenario.