Final answer:
The nurse should anticipate administering naloxone (Narcan), an opiate antagonist, to reverse the respiratory depression caused by IV hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient develops a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/minute after receiving IV hydromorphone (Dilaudid), the nurse should anticipate administering naloxone (Narcan) after notifying the prescriber of this side effect. Hydromorphone is an opioid, and one of the serious side effects of opioids is respiratory depression. Naloxone is an opiate antagonist which, when administered, can rapidly reverse the respiratory depression caused by opioids without producing analgesia, euphoria, or respiratory depression itself. It works by antagonizing the actions of morphine at all its receptors and is used in cases of acute narcotic intoxication or narcotic-induced respiratory depression.