Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

What is the immediate care for a young adult with an altered level of consciousness due to a suspected opioid overdose?

1. Administer high doses of intravenous fluids

2. Consider naloxone administration

3. Wait for further evaluation

4. Perform a tracheotomy

The correct answer is: Consider naloxone administration

In the case of a young adult with an altered level of consciousness due to a suspected opioid overdose, administering naloxone is the immediate care that should be considered. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that works by rapidly reversing the effects of opioids, particularly respiratory depression, which is a common and potentially life-threatening consequence of an overdose. It is important to act quickly, as delays can result in continued central nervous system depression and may lead to the patient's respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. This approach is aligned with established protocols for managing opioid overdoses, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention with naloxone to restore consciousness and stabilize breathing. The option to administer high doses of intravenous fluids is not appropriate as an immediate response since it does not directly address the respiratory and central nervous system depression caused by opioids. Waiting for further evaluation could lead to further deterioration of the patient's condition, making early intervention crucial. Performing a tracheotomy is an invasive procedure that is rarely indicated in opioid overdoses and does not address the underlying issue of the opioid effects. Thus, considering naloxone administration is the most appropriate and effective immediate care in this scenario.