Assessing a patient after intravenous morphine administration, the nurse notes cold, clammy skin; a pulse of 40 beats/min; respirations of 10 breaths/min; and constricted pupils. Which medication will the patient likely need next?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient's symptoms—cold, clammy skin, bradycardia, respiratory depression, and constricted pupils—are classic signs of opioid overdose. Naloxone is the antidote for opioid overdose and should be administered immediately to reverse the life-threatening effects of morphine. Meloxicam, pentazocine, and propoxyphene are not appropriate in this situation. Nurses must recognize the signs of opioid toxicity and act quickly to administer naloxone, ensuring the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation are supported.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Elimination half-life measures how quickly a drug is cleared from plasma. Naloxone's half-life is about 1-2 hours, used for opioid reversal. Morphine's is 2-4 hours, reflecting its duration as an analgesic. Methadone's is long, 15-60 hours, suiting addiction maintenance. Fentanyl's is 2-4 hours, typical for anesthesia. Remifentanil, an ultra-short-acting opioid, has a half-life of 3-10 minutes due to rapid esterase metabolism, making it ideal for procedures needing quick offset. Its brevity contrasts with others, ensuring minimal residual effects, a key advantage in critical care settings where rapid recovery is essential.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Penicillin is a type of antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Peptidoglycan is a critical component of the bacterial cell wall, providing structural support and preventing the cell from bursting. Penicillin specifically targets the final step in peptidoglycan synthesis, known as cross-linking, by binding to and inhibiting the enzyme transpeptidase. Without proper cross-linking of peptidoglycan, the bacterial cell wall becomes weak and compromised, leading to cell lysis and bacterial death. This mechanism makes penicillin highly effective in combating bacterial infections.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When educating a patient about Regular Insulin, you should include the instruction to inject the insulin subcutaneously. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that should be injected into the subcutaneous tissue rather than intramuscularly or intravenously. Subcutaneous injection ensures proper absorption and effectiveness of the insulin. It is important to educate the patient on the correct injection technique and site rotation to optimize insulin absorption and minimize the risk of lipodystrophy.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Morphine overdose typically causes respiratory depression , leading to hypoxia and death, common in illicit use. Heart failure , hepatitis , edema , and embolism (E) are less likely. Opioid-induced apnea explains his sudden demise.