Final answer:
Hepatic impairment is a risk factor for opioid-induced respiratory depression because it can lead to increased opioid levels in the blood. High opioid tolerance and opioid antagonists are not considered risk factors; in fact, antagonists are used as a treatment to counteract overdose effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Risk factors for opioid-induced respiratory depression include several factors, but among the options provided, C) Hepatic impairment may increase the risk for this complication. The liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing drugs, including opioids. When there is hepatic impairment, the body's ability to metabolize and clear opioids is reduced, which can lead to increased blood levels of the drug and thereby increase the risk of opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Young age is generally associated with healthier organ function and may not be a direct risk factor, while B) High opioid tolerance suggests that an individual may require higher doses to achieve the desired analgesic effect, but this adaptation can also confer some protection against respiratory depression at therapeutic doses. The use of opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, is actually a treatment to reverse respiratory depression caused by opioids rather than a risk factor for it. Opioid antagonists rapidly block the effects of opioids, helping to restore respiratory function in cases of an overdose.