Which of the following patients is MOST likely to be experiencing a life-threatening opioid side effect?
a. Patient with respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min who is breathing deeply
b. Patient with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min who is snoring
c. Patient with blood pressure of 150/75 mm Hg and heart rate of 102 beats/min
d. Patient with a temperature of 100.5°F who is asleep but easily roused
B
Although no universal definition of respiratory depression exists, it is usually described in terms of decreased respiratory rate (fewer than 8 or 10 breaths/min), decreased Spo2 levels, or elevated ETCO2 levels. A change in the patient's level of consciousness or snoring is a warning sign. It can be a sign of respiratory depression associated with airway obstruction by the tongue, leading to hypoxemia and possibly to cardiorespiratory arrest. A patient snoring after the administration of an opioid requires the critical care nurse to observe closely.
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