A 43-year-old female has accidentally taken too much of her antidepressant medication and is now confused. Emergency Medical Responders are on scene and providing the patient with high-concentration oxygen. As you arrive at the patient's side, your first action should be to:

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The patient is experiencing a potential overdose and altered mental status, therefore, the first action should be to perform a primary assessment to evaluate the ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation). This will help identify any immediate life-threatening conditions that need to be addressed. Obtaining vital signs and determining the type of medication taken can come after the primary assessment is completed. Getting a pulse oximeter reading can also wait as the administration of high-concentration oxygen is already being provided.

A 43-Year-Old Female Has Accidentally Taken Too Much of Her