Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

If you suspect an opioid overdose in a person who is unresponsive but has a strong pulse, what action should you take?

1. Start CPR immediately

2. Provide rescue breathing

3. Use an AED

4. Administer naloxone

The correct answer is: Provide rescue breathing

In the context of an unresponsive person with a strong pulse who is suspected of an opioid overdose, the appropriate action to take is to provide rescue breathing. When a person is unresponsive but still has a pulse, it indicates that the heart is functioning, but the individual may not be breathing adequately or at all due to the effects of opioids. Rescue breathing helps to ensure that oxygen continues to flow into the lungs and gets delivered to the brain and other vital organs. This action is critically important to prevent brain damage and maintain tissue viability while waiting for further medical help or intervention. Administering naloxone is typically a highly effective action in cases of suspected opioid overdose, but it should ideally be done in conjunction with providing rescue breathing, especially if the individual is breathing inadequately. In this scenario, it's also essential to call for emergency medical help to ensure comprehensive care is provided as soon as possible. While CPR and the use of an AED are important in cases of cardiac arrest, they are not the immediate appropriate actions when there is a strong pulse. Rescue breaths address the primary issue of insufficient respiration due to the overdose.