Opioid-Associated Emergencies & Naloxone Flashcards

Opioid-associated cardiac arrest is best described as primarily:

Answer: A hypoxic arrest preceded by respiratory failure

Opioids cause respiratory depression leading to hypoxia, which then triggers cardiac arrest; this means effective ventilation is the most critical BLS intervention.

A lay rescuer finds an unresponsive person and calls 911. The dispatcher confirms suspected opioid overdose and informs the rescuer that naloxone is in a nearby kit. The victim is breathing 3 times per minute. What should the rescuer do NEXT?

Answer: Administer naloxone and give rescue breaths

With inadequate breathing (agonal respirations) and available naloxone, the rescuer should administer naloxone and provide rescue breathing to prevent respiratory arrest.

The 2020 AHA BLS guidelines recommend that rescuers in non-medical settings who witness opioid overdose should:

Answer: Administer naloxone and provide rescue breathing as key interventions

AHA guidelines emphasize that for opioid emergencies, naloxone administration and rescue breathing are the priority bystander interventions alongside activating 911.

How should a single rescuer prioritize interventions when alone with an unresponsive opioid overdose victim who has no normal breathing but has a pulse?

Answer: Call 911, give rescue breaths, and administer naloxone if available

The single rescuer should activate 911 first (or simultaneously), then prioritize rescue breathing to treat the respiratory arrest while administering available naloxone.

Naloxone is ineffective for reversing overdose caused by which of the following substances?

Answer: Benzodiazepines

Naloxone only blocks opioid receptors and has no effect on benzodiazepine-induced CNS/respiratory depression; those require supportive care or specific benzodiazepine antagonists.

Which statement correctly describes intramuscular (IM) naloxone compared to intranasal (IN) naloxone?

Answer: IM naloxone is absorbed more reliably when peripheral circulation is poor

IM injection delivers naloxone directly into muscle tissue with good bioavailability even in low perfusion states, while IN absorption depends on nasal mucosa integrity and blood flow.

After successfully reversing an opioid overdose with naloxone, the victim should be monitored for at least how long before being left unsupervised?

Answer: At least 1 hour, ideally until EMS evaluates the patient

Because naloxone wears off in 30–90 minutes and re-sedation can occur, the victim must be continuously monitored, ideally until EMS arrives and assumes care.