病人正在使用鴉片類止痛藥。哪種副作用是護理師最關心的？

鴉片類止痛藥（Opioid analgesic）作用於中樞神經系統，雖然能有效緩解疼痛，但會抑制腦幹的呼吸中樞。呼吸抑制（Respiratory depression）是致命性的副作用，護理師在給藥前與給藥後必須評估呼吸速率（通常需大於每分鐘 12 次）及氧氣飽和度。雖然便秘與噁心很常見，但它們屬於非致命性副作用，在護理優先順序（Priority）中，生命安全（ABC 原則）永遠位居首位。

Opioid analgesics act on the central nervous system. Although they effectively relieve pain, they also depress the respiratory center in the brainstem. Respiratory depression is a potentially fatal side effect; the nurse must assess respiratory rate (which generally must remain above 12 breaths per minute) and oxygen saturation before and after administration. While constipation and nausea are common, they are non-life-threatening side effects. In nursing prioritization, life safety (the ABC principles) always comes first.