Respiratory Alkalosis in this case may be caused by hyperventilation. In this case, giving him the morphine may calm him down, decreasing his respiratory drive, and correcting the acid/base balance. The other thing is that the first thing to do in nursing is ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT. It would be interesting to know the other answers. Another side note, if this is a NCLEX question. Never "what if", or "assume", or resort to "what you saw in clinical". These answers are basic out of the book answers. You are most definitely smart, don't confuse or over think the question.