What is a key sign of morphine toxicity?

Morphine toxicity is primarily associated with respiratory depression, which manifests as irregular and shallow respirations. This occurs because morphine acts as a central nervous system depressant, inhibiting the brain's ability to send signals that control breathing. When someone experiences morphine toxicity, their respiratory rate can drop significantly, leading to inadequate oxygen intake and potentially life-threatening situations.

Increased urinary output, elevated blood pressure, and severe muscle contractions do not typically correlate with morphine toxicity. In fact, morphine is more likely to cause urinary retention rather than increased output, affect blood pressure by potentially causing hypotension at very high doses, and it doesn’t usually produce severe muscle contractions. Therefore, respiratory depression is a critical and distinct sign that healthcare providers monitor for in cases of morphine overdose.