Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 964 of 2368
A client is prescribed both a benzodiazepine and an opioid. What risk should the nurse recognize?
- Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death
- Hypertensive crisis and stroke within several hours
- Serotonin syndrome with fever within 24 hours
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome with severe rigidity
Show answer
Correct answer: Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death
A boxed warning states that using benzodiazepines with opioids can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Mental Health Conditions: Antianxiety Medications. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026