A nurse is caring for an older adult. Which sensory change will the nurse identify as normal during the assessment?

Choice A reason: Meditation does not alter the chemical composition of pain neuroregulators. The gate control theory posits that non-painful stimuli, like meditation, modulate pain signals in the spinal cord. This statement inaccurately describes the mechanism, as meditation affects neural gating, not chemical changes, making it incorrect.

Choice B reason: Meditation does not stop pain stimuli from occurring; it modulates pain perception. The gate control theory explains how cognitive techniques like meditation reduce pain signal transmission, not eliminate the stimulus. This statement misrepresents the theory’s mechanism, making it an incorrect reflection of understanding.

Choice C reason: Meditation does not open the pain gate or promote sleeping through pain. The gate control theory suggests meditation closes the gate, reducing pain signals. Opening the gate would increase pain perception, contradicting the theory’s principles, making this an incorrect understanding of meditation’s role.

Choice D reason: Meditation controls pain by blocking pain impulses, as per the gate control theory. It activates non-painful stimuli, closing the spinal “gate” to reduce pain signal transmission to the brain. This statement accurately reflects how meditation modulates pain perception, demonstrating correct understanding of the theory.

Choice A reason: Immediate intubation is premature without first reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression with naloxone. Morphine’s rapid onset of lethargy and shallow breathing (7 breaths/min) indicates overdose, reversible by naloxone. Intubation is invasive and reserved for non-responsive cases, risking unnecessary complications when reversal is feasible, delaying targeted treatment in this acute scenario.

Choice B reason: Administering naloxone is the priority for opioid overdose, as evidenced by lethargy and respiratory depression (7 breaths/min) post-morphine. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, rapidly reverses these life-threatening effects, restoring breathing and consciousness. Prompt administration is critical in older adults, who are more sensitive to opioids, ensuring patient safety and preventing hypoxia or death.

Choice C reason: Observing for opioid tolerance is inappropriate in this acute situation. Lethargy and shallow breathing indicate overdose, not tolerance, requiring immediate naloxone. Monitoring tolerance delays critical intervention, risking prolonged hypoxia, brain damage, or death, especially in an elderly patient with increased opioid sensitivity post-surgery, where respiratory depression is life-threatening.

Choice D reason: Assessing pain level is irrelevant when the patient exhibits opioid overdose symptoms like lethargy and respiratory depression. Pain assessment is secondary to reversing life-threatening respiratory compromise with naloxone. Delaying intervention for pain evaluation risks patient deterioration, as immediate action is needed to restore breathing and stabilize the patient post-morphine administration.