A client is receiving morphine post-operatively for pain control. The unlicensed personal assistant notifies the nurse that the client was sleeping heavily and his/her vital signs were HR 70; RR 10; BP 88/42; O2 Sat 85% in room air. Which of the following interventions would be a priority for the nurse?

Choice A reason: Morphine-induced respiratory depression (RR 10, O2 Sat 85%) and hypotension (BP 88/42) indicate opioid overdose. Naloxone reverses opioid effects, while Fowler’s position and oxygen improve ventilation and oxygenation, addressing life-threatening symptoms as the priority. Choice B reason: High Fowler’s position aids breathing but does not address morphine’s opioid effects causing respiratory depression and hypoxia. Alone, it is insufficient to reverse the underlying cause or stabilize the patient’s critical vital signs. Choice C reason: Applying oxygen via nasal cannula improves oxygenation but does not reverse morphine’s central nervous system depression causing hypoventilation. It is a supportive measure, not the priority compared to naloxone administration. Choice D reason: Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, not opioids like morphine. Administering it is inappropriate and ineffective for this scenario, and while oxygen is helpful, it is secondary to reversing the opioid overdose with naloxone.