Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

In the case of a cardiac arrest due to an opioid overdose, what should be prioritized?

1. Administer naloxone first

2. Notify family members

3. Ensure high-quality CPR over naloxone administration

4. Transport the patient to the hospital quickly

The correct answer is: Ensure high-quality CPR over naloxone administration

In the case of a cardiac arrest due to an opioid overdose, the priority is to ensure high-quality CPR over naloxone administration. The reason for this is that CPR is crucial for maintaining blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs during cardiac arrest. When a patient suffers a cardiac arrest, time is of the essence; the brain and other organs become increasingly susceptible to damage the longer they go without oxygen. While administering naloxone is an effective treatment for reversing opioid overdoses, it should not delay the initiation of CPR. In fact, if a patient is unresponsive or not breathing normally due to an opioid overdose, immediate chest compressions can help buy time until naloxone can be provided. High-quality CPR involves proper technique, adequate depth and rate of compressions, and minimizing interruptions, which are essential for improving the chances of survival. Other options like notifying family members or transporting the patient to the hospital are important but secondary actions that should follow the initiation of high-quality CPR.