Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 77%
Simulated
A nurse is monitoring a client who received naloxone to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Increased respiratory rate. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the respiratory depression caused by opioids. When it is effective, the respiratory rate of the client should increase as a result of improved breathing. This indicates that the naloxone has successfully counteracted the opioid overdose.
Incorrect Choices:
B: Increased temperature - Naloxone does not affect body temperature, so this is not a reliable indicator of its effectiveness.
C: Report of decreased pain - Naloxone does not directly impact pain perception, so a decrease in pain does not necessarily indicate its effectiveness.
D: Decreased blood pressure - Naloxone primarily targets respiratory depression, not blood pressure regulation, so a decrease in blood pressure is not a specific indicator of its effectiveness.
Incorrect Choices:
B: Increased temperature - Naloxone does not affect body temperature, so this is not a reliable indicator of its effectiveness.
C: Report of decreased pain - Naloxone does not directly impact pain perception, so a decrease in pain does not necessarily indicate its effectiveness.
D: Decreased blood pressure - Naloxone primarily targets respiratory depression, not blood pressure regulation, so a decrease in blood pressure is not a specific indicator of its effectiveness.