An adult client with a head injury complains of severe pain. The nurse notes that the dose of opioid is half the normal adult dose. What is the reason for this?
a. Head injury patients do not experience severe pain but are disoriented.
b. Respiratory depression can lead to cerebral hemorrhage.
c. Opioids decrease heart rate such that the brain becomes hypoxic.
d. Respiratory depression allows for a buildup of CO2, a vasodilator.
ANS: D
If respiratory depression occurs, the respiratory rate may decrease, causing hypoventilation. This allows CO2 to build up, causing cerebral vasodilation and increasing intracranial pressure.
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