Opioid Emergency Flashcard
Rationale
D. Rationale: Naloxone is the antidote for opioid toxicity.
Question
A 24-year-old man is unconscious due to a heroin overdose. Heroin is a synthetic opioid, and its use has become an epidemic in the United States. What is the pharmacologic treatment of choice for opioid toxicity?
a. Epinephrine
b. Activated charcoal
c. Ferrous sulfate
d. Naloxone
Answer
d. Naloxone
Rationale
D. Rationale: The rescuer must administer intramuscular or intranasal naloxone to patients with suspected opioid overdose that present with a pulse but without normal breathing or gasping.
Question
A 25-year-old man is seen unresponsive with a pulse but without normal breathing. An opioid overdose is suspected. The rescuer must:
a. Begin CPR
b. Administer intravenous atropine
c. Administer intravenous epinephrine
d. Administer intramuscular naloxone
Answer
d. Administer intramuscular naloxone
Rationale
D. Rationale: Opioid overdose causes severe respiratory distress or arrest. Naloxone is the antidote for opioid overdose and can be given to reverse its effects.
Question
A patient presents with severe respiratory distress secondary to opioid overdose. You provide positive pressure ventilation but need to reverse the effects of the opioid. What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
a. Epinephrine
b. Diazepam
c. Esomeprazole
d. Naloxone
Answer
d. Naloxone
Rationale
A. Rationale: Persistent cardiac arrest in PEA means that, despite high-quality CPR and adequate ventilation, return of spontaneous circulation cannot be achieved. The antidote for opioid overdose is naloxone.
Question
Cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity (PEA) can be reversed if the team promptly identifies and treats its cause. Which one of the following treatments can reverse persistent cardiac arrest with PEA secondary to opioid abuse?
a. Naloxone
b. Intubation
c. Defibrillation
d. Epinephrine
Answer
a. Naloxone
Rationale
B. Rationale: If a patient suspected of opioid overdose is already in cardiac arrest, naloxone must be given after CPR is initiated.
Question
When is naloxone given while resuscitating a patient suspected of opioid overdose who is in cardiac arrest?
a. Before initiating CPR
b. After CPR is initiated
c. Naloxone is not given to patients already in cardiac arrest.
d. After a shock is delivered by the AED
Answer
b. After CPR is initiated
Rationale
C. Rationale: Treating the underlying cause is always a priority and will facilitate treatment of the arrhythmia.
Question
When patients present with a bradyarrhythmia secondary to a heroin overdose, which of the following should be done first to treat them effectively?
a. Apply cardiac pacing to treat the arrhythmia.
b. Give atropine to increase the heart rate.
c. Give naloxone to reverse the effects of heroin.
d. Give oxygen to improve oxygenation status.
Answer
c. Give naloxone to reverse the effects of heroin.
Rationale
A. Rationale: Naloxone is the antidote to opioid toxicity and can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, intranasally, and subcutaneously to patients in cardiac arrest secondary to opioid toxicity.
Question
Which one of the following drugs is a potent opioid receptor antagonist in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal system?
a. Naloxone
b. Fentanyl
c. Methadone
d. Propoxyphene
Answer
a. Naloxone
Rationale
B. Rationale: Naloxone can be administered to the patient via intramuscular injection or intranasal delivery.
Question
You are to administer naloxone to a patient with a heroin overdose. How is naloxone administered?
a. Transdermal patch
b. Intranasal or intramuscular
c. Intravenous
d. Subcutaneous injection
Answer
b. Intranasal or intramuscular