A nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results and notices that the potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. The nurse knows that this value indicates hyperkalemia. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate to administer?

Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of opioids, such as morphine. One of the main effects of opioids is respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. Naloxone can increase the respiratory rate by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and restoring normal breathing.

Incorrect choices:

b) Decreased pain level: Naloxone can decrease pain level by reversing opioid analgesia, but this is not the expected effect. The nurse should monitor for increased pain levels and administer non-opioid analgesics as ordered.

c) Increased sedation: Naloxone can decrease sedation by reversing opioid-induced central nervous system depression, but this is not the expected effect. The nurse should monitor for agitation or withdrawal symptoms and provide comfort measures as needed.

d) Decreased blood pressure: Naloxone can increase blood pressure by reversing opioid-induced hypotension, but this is not the expected effect. The nurse should monitor for hypertension or tachycardia and administer antihypertensives as ordered.

When mixing two types of insulin in one syringe, the nurse should follow the mnemonic RN or "regular before NPH". This means that the nurse should first inject air into the NPH vial, then inject air into the regular vial, then withdraw regular insulin from the vial, and finally withdraw NPH insulin from the vial. This order prevents contamination of the regular insulin with NPH insulin and ensures accurate dosing.

Incorrect choices:

a) Inject air into the NPH vial: This is correct, but it is not the next action. The nurse should inject air into the NPH vial before drawing up any insulin.

c) Withdraw NPH insulin from the vial: This is incorrect and can lead to a medication error. The nurse should withdraw NPH insulin after withdrawing regular insulin.

d) Withdraw regular insulin from the vial: This is correct, but it is not the next action. The nurse should inject air into the regular vial before withdrawing regular insulin.