TOPEKA — A Kansas nurse who admitted diluting morphine solutions at a Salina nursing home has been sentenced to three years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Richard Rogers on Friday gave Melanie Morrison the sentence recommended by prosecutors.

Morrison pleaded guilty earlier to consumer product tampering and adulterating a drug at the Holiday Resort Nursing Facility in Salina.

Morrison admitted putting sodium chloride into solutions of morphine sulfate, reducing the painkiller’s quality and strength. Sodium chloride is dangerous to some patients, particularly those with congestive heart failure or severe renal insufficiency.

As part of the plea deal, she agreed to surrender her nursing license permanently and never work in health care again.