Pharmacology · single question

Which of the following medications can cause respiratory depression in this patient?

  1. Diazepam / opioid
  2. Ketorolac
  3. Ketamine
  4. Acetaminophen
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Correct answer: A. Diazepam / opioid

Benzodiazepines (diazepam) and opioids both depress the central respiratory drive in the brainstem and must be used with extreme caution — or avoided — in obstructive sleep apnea because of the additive airway and respiratory risk. Ketamine preserves respiratory drive (it is a dissociative anesthetic). Ketorolac and acetaminophen have no significant respiratory depressant effect.

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