Opioid Overdose Flashcard
Rationale
D. Rationale: Any healthcare provider can administer naloxone. Bystander-administered naloxone for opioid-associated life-threatening emergencies is recommended in the absence of a trained healthcare provider.
Question
Naloxone can be administered in opioid-associated life-threatening emergencies by:
a. Trained EMS personnel
b. ED physicians
c. Bystanders at the scene
d. All of the above
Answer
d. All of the above
Rationale
D. Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) competitively binds opioid receptors and is the antidote of choice for opioid overdose.
Question
What is the antidote to opioid-associated life-threatening emergencies?
a. Epinephrine
b. Ibuprofen
c. Morphine
d. Naloxone
Answer
d. Naloxone
Rationale
D. Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote for opioid toxicity. (Cases: Opioid toxicity)
Question
A 24-year old man is believed to have suffered a heroin overdose. Heroin is a synthetic opioid that has been the source of an epidemic of drug abuse 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 a suspected opioid overdose that presents with a pulse but without normal breathing or gasping. (The BLS Assessment: Pulse Present, No Breathing)
Question
A 25-year-old man is found 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
A. Rationale: The rescuer should immediately tap the person and check for responsiveness. The rescuer should then activate the emergency response system and send a bystander for an AED.
Question
A trained healthcare provider encounters an unconscious woman lying on the street. There are used syringes in the area. After the rescuer verifies scene safety, they should:
a. Assess the person for responsiveness
b. Begin CPR
c. Provide rescue breathing
d. Go for an AED
Answer
a. Assess the person for responsiveness
Rationale
A. Rationale: The untrained lay rescuer can consider administering naloxone when it is available. In the meantime, they assess breathing and begin hands-only CPR if breathing is abnormal. Rescue breathing is not recommended unless a PPV or barrier device is available.
Question
During a suspected opioid-associated emergency, the untrained lay rescuer:
a. Considers administering naloxone when it is available
b. Only monitors the person until EMS arrives
c. Immediately begins CPR and rescue breathing
d. Waits until directed by a rescuer with adequate training
Answer
a. Considers administering naloxone when it is available
Rationale
D. Rationale: The lay rescuer does not check for a pulse. It may be difficult even for a trained HCP to feel a pulse, so the recommendation for the lay rescuer is to check the breathing only. If the breathing is NOT normal, the rescuer should begin CPR.
Question
The main difference between the HCP and lay rescuer opioid arrest algorithms is:
a. The lay rescuer does not administer naloxone.
b. The lay rescuer does not use an AED.
c. The lay rescuer does not check for normal breathing.
d. The lay rescuer does not check for a pulse.
Answer
d. The lay rescuer does not check for a pulse.
Rationale
D. 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 drug overdose. Correct routes of delivery are:
a. Transdermal patch or subcutaneous
b. Intranasal or intramuscular
c. Rectal suppository or topical
d. Subcutaneous or intranasal
Answer
d. Subcutaneous or intranasal