# A postoperative client who received IV morphine is difficult to arouse and has respirations of 7/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397136&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Adverse Effects/Contraindications/Interactions  
> category: PPT

## Question

A postoperative client who received IV morphine is difficult to arouse and has respirations of 7/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?

## Option

1. Naloxone. **✔ Correct answer**
2. Flumazenil.
3. Protamine sulfate.
4. Vitamin K.

**Correct answer: 1**

## Explanation

Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and is anticipated when a client has decreased level of consciousness and slow respirations after morphine. Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, protamine reverses heparin, and vitamin K reverses warfarin effects over time.

## In-depth explanation

Clinical Judgment
Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Opioid respiratory depression.

Memory Tip
Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.

KR vs US
NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.

## Clinical scenario

Clinical Practice Guide
For Opioid respiratory depression, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.

Caution
Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.

## Key concepts

- **Naloxone** — An opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid toxicity.
- **Respiratory Depression** — Reduced ventilation that can cause hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention.
- **Morphine** — An opioid analgesic that can suppress respirations.

## Related questions

- [A nurse is reviewing the morning lab results for an adult client receiving warfarin for at…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=360515&lang=en)
- [A client is admitted to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown amount of acet…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362720&lang=en)
- [A client with chronic heart failure is prescribed metoprolol 25 mg orally twice daily. Bef…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362756&lang=en)
- [A 28-year-old client with type 1 diabetes receives regular insulin 6 units and NPH insulin…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362792&lang=en)
- [A client receives IV vancomycin 1 g every 12 hours for MRSA bacteremia. Before the next do…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362833&lang=en)
- [A client with bipolar disorder has been taking lithium carbonate 600 mg orally three times…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362894&lang=en)
- [An 80-year-old male with heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg daily. During mornin…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=372686&lang=en)
- [A 38-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis is being discharged with a new prescription…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=372687&lang=en)

## Read in another language

- [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397136&lang=en)
- [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397136&lang=ko)
- [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397136&lang=ja)
- [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397136&lang=zh-tw)
- [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397136&lang=vi)

---

More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en)

_For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._