Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

Which condition is the primary reason for prioritizing CPR in opioid overdose cases?

1. Loss of consciousness

2. Respiratory failure

3. Circulatory collapse

4. Complete airway obstruction

The correct answer is: Respiratory failure

In cases of opioid overdose, prioritizing CPR is primarily due to respiratory failure. Opioids depress the central nervous system, leading to decreased respiratory drive, which can result in inadequate or absent breathing. When breathing stops or is significantly compromised, it deprives the brain and other vital organs of oxygen, leading to potential brain death and organ failure in a matter of minutes. Performing CPR helps restore circulation and provides some degree of ventilation, which is crucial in delivering oxygen to the body until advanced medical help can be rendered. While loss of consciousness may occur as a result of the respiratory failure, it is the lack of adequate breathing that directly threatens life by causing oxygen deprivation. Circulatory collapse can occur as a later consequence of prolonged respiratory failure and inadequate oxygen delivery. Complete airway obstruction is a critical condition, but in the context of opioid overdose specifically, the primary issue is the respiratory failure caused by the drug's effects. This makes addressing the breathing irregularities an immediate focus for those providing aid.