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Opioid overdose questions test airway and breathing first, respiratory depression, naloxone response, reassessment, repeat sedation risk, and emergency follow-up.
Study aid - not medical advice. Not a clinical decision tool. For NCLEX pharmacology review only.
1. Assess airway, breathing, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and level of consciousness.
2. Support ventilation and call for help per emergency protocol.
3. Administer naloxone as ordered or per protocol for suspected opioid-induced respiratory/CNS depression.
Hold further opioid doses per protocol and notify the provider for RR <12/min, difficult arousal, oxygen desaturation, apnea, severe sedation, hypotension, or repeated need for naloxone.
Do not leave after the patient wakes up. Continue monitoring because opioid effects can outlast naloxone.
This is mainly an assessment-and-vitals topic: RR, SpO2, EtCO2 if available, BP, pulse, sedation score, pain score, and mental status.
ABGs, tox testing, glucose, or other labs may be ordered depending on context.
Think through the answer before you reveal the rationale.