Incidence of Respiratory Depression in a Postanesthesia Care Unit in Patients Undergoing Anesthesia Using Opioids

• Published in: Journal of perianesthesia nursing Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 36 - 40
• Main Authors: Castelo Branco Freire Cuba, Tássia Marília, Fassarella, Cintia Silva, Camerini, Flávia Giron, de Mendonça Henrique, Danielle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-02-2021
• Subjects: high alert medications; Nursing; opioids; patient safety; perioperative nursing; patient safety; perioperative nursing; high alert medications; opioids
• ISSN: 1089-9472; 1532-8473
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2020.05.009

To analyze the incidence of respiratory depression (RD) in patients undergoing anesthesia using opioids in a postanesthesia care unit.
Retrospective cohort study.
Quantitative approach, performed by documentary analysis of medical records in the postanesthesia care unit.
A total of 330 patients were included in the study, with a prevalence of female (186; 56.36%) and nonobese patients (295; 89.39%). Five cases of RD in the immediate postoperative period were found, corresponding to an incidence of 1.52%. Each case in this study showed different risk factors related to opioid-induced RD.
Nursing surveillance is essential in the decision-making process regarding the knowledge of physiological, pharmacologic, and risk factors to detect clinical signs of RD.