Morphine toxicity presents with which early signs?

Morphine toxicity presents with which early signs?

• A. Drowsiness, confusion precede respiratory compromise.
• B. Euphoria.
• C. Rash.
• D. Hypertension.

Answer: (A)

Morphine toxicity starts in the central nervous system. The first signs are changes in mental status, especially drowsiness and confusion, reflecting CNS depression from mu-receptor effects. These symptoms typically appear before the respiratory system is significantly affected, so you see sedation and disorientation before breathing becomes slow or shallow. As the overdose progresses, respiratory compromise develops. Euphoria can occur with opioids in some contexts, but it is not a reliable early sign of toxicity and is less predictable. Rash is not a feature of opioid toxicity, and hypertension is not typical—opioids more commonly cause hypotension.

Morphine toxicity starts in the central nervous system. The first signs are changes in mental status, especially drowsiness and confusion, reflecting CNS depression from mu-receptor effects. These symptoms typically appear before the respiratory system is significantly affected, so you see sedation and disorientation before breathing becomes slow or shallow. As the overdose progresses, respiratory compromise develops.

Euphoria can occur with opioids in some contexts, but it is not a reliable early sign of toxicity and is less predictable. Rash is not a feature of opioid toxicity, and hypertension is not typical—opioids more commonly cause hypotension.