Which term describes slowed or stopped breathing caused by opioids?

• A. Sedation
• B. Hypoxemia
• C. Respiratory depression
• D. Apnea during sleep

Answer: (C)

Opioids slow and suppress the brain’s control of breathing. They activate mu receptors in the brainstem, which dampens the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide. This reduces both the rate and depth of breathing and can progress to periods of stopped breathing. That specific effect is captured by the term respiratory depression.

Sedation describes general drowsiness or sleepiness from the drug, not the breathing itself, so it doesn’t define the breathing impairment. Hypoxemia refers to low blood oxygen, which can result from respiratory depression but isn’t the description of the breathing change itself. Apnea during sleep describes a pattern of pauses during sleep (sleep apnea) rather than the opioid-induced slowing or stopping of respiration across contexts.