A charge nurse is delegating care for a group of clients. Which of the following tasks should the charge nurse assign to a licensed practical nurse?

A. St. John's wort is an herbal supplement that can interact with antidepressant medications like amitriptyline and should be avoided.
B. Taking amitriptyline on an empty stomach can lead to gastrointestinal upset, so it is better to take it with food.
C. Amitriptyline can have anticholinergic effects, which might lower blood pressure rather than raise it.
D. Correct. Amitriptyline and other antidepressants take a few weeks to reach their full therapeutic effect, so it's important for the client to understand this delayed response.

Choice A rationale:

Decreased temperature is not a typical sign of naloxone reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Opioid overdose commonly leads to respiratory depression and hypoxia, but it does not significantly affect body temperature. Naloxone works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to, thereby reversing the effects of the overdose. The primary signs of successful reversal include improved respiratory rate and increased alertness, not changes in body temperature.

Choice B rationale:

Polyuria (excessive urination) is not a specific indicator of naloxone effectiveness. Opioid overdose and naloxone administration primarily affect the central nervous system and respiratory function, not urinary output. Naloxone's effects are more evident in the client's level of consciousness, respiratory rate, and overall responsiveness.

Choice C rationale:

Bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not an expected indicator of naloxone effectiveness. Opioid overdose typically causes respiratory depression, leading to a decreased respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Naloxone works by reversing this respiratory depression and improving ventilation. Consequently, increased respiratory rate, not heart rate, is a more relevant indicator of naloxone's effectiveness in reversing opioid overdose.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct answer. Increased respiratory rate is a key indicator that naloxone is reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Opioid overdose depresses the respiratory system, leading to slow and shallow breathing. Naloxone, as an opioid receptor antagonist, rapidly reverses this effect, leading to a noticeable increase in the client's respiratory rate. Monitoring for improved breathing and increased oxygen saturation is crucial to assessing the effectiveness of naloxone in treating opioid overdose.