Question

The nurse administers naloxone [Narcan] to a patient who has received a toxic dose of morphine sulfate. The nurse understands that the naloxone is effective because of which action?

1) Countering the effects of morphine sulfate by agonist actions
2) Increasing the excretion of morphine sulfate by altering serum pH
3) Preventing activation of opioid receptors through antagonist actions
4) Regulating the sensitivity of opioid receptors by neurochemical alterations

Answer 1

Naloxone is effective in counteracting the effects of a toxic dose of morphine sulfate by preventing activation of opioid receptors. It antagonizes the actions of morphine at all its receptors, making it useful in reversing narcotic-induced respiratory depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse administers naloxone [Narcan] to a patient who has received a toxic dose of morphine sulfate. The nurse understands that the naloxone is effective because of its antagonist actions, preventing activation of opioid receptors. Naloxone antagonizes the actions of morphine at all its receptors. It is used to reverse the respiratory depression that follows acute narcotic intoxication and narcotic-induced respiratory depression in newborns of mothers who have received narcotics.