The anesthesiologist elects to use an opioid as adjunct to anesthesia for pain relief.Because of the use of this drug,the nurse is more alert to monitor the client for which occurrence?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Opioids can cause respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, the nurse should closely monitor the client's breathing and respiratory rate to detect any signs of respiratory depression early and intervene promptly. The other options, such as addiction (A), profound hypotension (B), or diaphragmatic paralysis (D), are potential adverse effects of opioids but are less likely to occur than respiratory depression.

The Anesthesiologist Elects to Use an Opioid as Adjunct to Anesthesia