Opioid poisoning
NCLEX-RN glossary · Pharmacological And Parenteral Therapies
Definition
A toxic respiratory and neurological state characterized by a classic triad: severe respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, and depressed level of consciousness.
Opioid poisoning in plain English
This is an immediate life-threat requiring the pre-emptive cognitive linking of the agent with its rescue association (naloxone) to reduce time-to-rescue. A frequent error is prioritizing the assessment of a client's pain score while ignoring the lethal sedative and respiratory effects of the opioid administration.
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