A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 per minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administration of naloxone (Narcan). Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of opioids such as morphine, particularly in cases of opioid overdose leading to respiratory depression. In this scenario, the patient is showing signs of opioid toxicity, such as shallow respirations, which can progress to respiratory arrest. Administering naloxone is the priority to reverse the opioid effects and restore normal respiratory function. This intervention takes precedence over other actions such as pain assessment (choice A), intubation (choice B), or close observation for tolerance (choice D) because the patient's safety and well-being are at immediate risk due to respiratory depression.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. After administering adenosine, asystole may occur for a few seconds due to its rapid action on the heart's conduction system. Here's the rationale: 1. Adenosine works by slowing down conduction through the AV node, interrupting reentry pathways causing tachycardia. 2. This brief pause in electrical activity can cause a temporary stop in the heart's pumping action, resulting in asystole. 3. Asystole is expected and normal after adenosine administration, as it helps reset the heart's electrical activity and may terminate the tachycardia. In contrast, options A and D are incorrect because adenosine has a rapid onset of action within seconds and a very short half-life of less than 10 seconds, leading to a quick duration of action. Option B is incorrect as adenosine should be given as a rapid IV push to ensure its effectiveness.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Boosting the immune system. Echinacea is commonly used for its immune-boosting properties due to its ability to stimulate the immune system. It can help the body fight off infections and illnesses. Rationale: 1. Echinacea has been traditionally used for its immune-enhancing effects. 2. Research studies have shown that echinacea can increase the production of white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections. 3. Echinacea is often recommended to shorten the duration of colds and flu by supporting the immune response. 4. Memory enhancement (A), improving mood (C), and promoting relaxation (D) are not commonly associated with echinacea use based on scientific evidence.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: FALSE. Intravenous injections are not suitable for oily solutions due to the risk of causing pulmonary embolism or other serious complications. Oily solutions can lead to blockages in the blood vessels, posing significant health risks. Other choices are incorrect because intravenous injections should not be used for all oily solutions (Choice C) or none of them (Choice D) due to the potential harm they can cause.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Change in receptors, loss of them or exhaustion of mediators. Tolerance and drug resistance often occur due to changes in receptors, such as downregulation or desensitization, leading to decreased drug efficacy. Loss of receptors or exhaustion of mediators can also contribute to reduced drug response over time. Explanation of why other choices are incorrect: B: Increased receptor sensitivity would not lead to tolerance or drug resistance, as it would result in enhanced drug effects. C: Decreased metabolic degradation would increase drug levels in the body, potentially leading to increased drug effects rather than tolerance. D: Decreased renal tubular secretion may alter drug excretion but would not directly cause tolerance or drug resistance.