Question

You are called emergently to a patient's room who has become increasingly lethargic following repeated administration of morphine due to pain throughout the last few hours. Current SpO2 is 92% on NC 4LPM. Respirations are shallow, at about 8 breaths/minute. The BEST course of action is:

A) Intubation, Mechanical Ventilation, and transfer to an ICU
B) Administration of Naloxone
C) Placement of Nonrebreather running at 15 LPM
D) Initiation of Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (BiPAP)

Answer 1

The best course of action is to administer Naloxone due to a suspected opioid overdose from repeated morphine administration, which has caused respiratory depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

You are called emergently to a patient's room who has become increasingly lethargic following repeated administration of morphine due to pain throughout the last few hours. The patient's current SpO2 is 92% on NC 4LPM, and respirations are shallow, at about 8 breaths/minute. The BEST course of action is administration of Naloxone (Narcan). This is because the patient's symptoms suggest opioid overdose, likely from the repeated administration of morphine. Opioid overdose can slow or stop a person's breathing, leading to hypoxemia and potential death. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of morphine, thereby improving respiration and oxygenation.