A client is admitted to the ambulatory care unit for an endoscopic procedure. The gastroenterologist administers midazolam 1 mg intravenously for sedation and titrates the dosage upward to 3.5 mg. The client becomes hypotensive (86/60 mm Hg), develops severe respiratory depression (SpO₂ 86%), and has periods of apnea. The nurse anticipates the administration of which antidote drug?

Question

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Midazolam (Versed) is a benzodiazepine commonly used to induce conscious sedation in clients undergoing endoscopic procedures. The initial dose is 1 mg and is titrated up slowly (eg, 2 minutes before each 1-mg increment) until speech becomes slurred. Usually no more than 3.5 mg is necessary to induce conscious sedation. It is commonly administered with an opioid analgesic (eg, morphine, Fentanyl) because of their synergistic effects. Side effects can include airway occlusion, apnea, hypotension (especially in the presence of an opioid), and oxygen desaturation with resultant respiratory arrest. Flumazenil (Romazicon) is the antidote drug used to reverse the sedative effects of benzodiazepines. (Option A) Benztropine (Cogentin) is used in the treatment of extrapyramidal side effects associated with antipsychotic medications or metoclopramide. (Option C) Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote drug to reverse the effects of opioids. (Option D) Phentolamine (Regitine) is the antidote drug used to treat a norepinephrine (Levophed) extravasation. Educational objective: Flumazenil is a drug used to reverse the sedative effects of benzodiazepines such as midazolam.

A Client Is Admitted to the Ambulatory Care Unit for an Endoscopic