An unconscious patient is brought to the emergency department and intubated after respiratory arrest. The patient has a regular pulse. The patient's spouse suspects an overdose of drugs but does not know which drug may have been taken. The nurse will anticipate giving which medication or performing which treatment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Given the patient's respiratory arrest and suspected drug overdose, the nurse should anticipate administering naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to reverse the effects of any opioids the patient may have ingested. Activated charcoal may also be given to absorb any remaining drugs in the patient's stomach, but it is not the initial priority in this case. Flumazenil is only effective in reversing the effects of benzodiazepines, not opioids. Gastric lavage may also be considered, but it is not the initial priority in this case.

An Unconscious Patient Is Brought to the Emergency Department and Intubated