CPR Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bystander finds an unresponsive person with a needle nearby and shallow breathing. What is the first action?
- Check responsiveness and call 911 (or have someone call) (Correct answer)
- Inject naloxone before doing anything else
- Search their pockets for identification
- Pour cold water on their face
Correct answer: Check responsiveness and call 911 (or have someone call)
Confirming unresponsiveness and activating EMS comes first in any emergency.
Question 2: What position should an overdose victim who is breathing but unresponsive be placed in?
- Recovery position on their side (Correct answer)
- Flat on their back with no support
- Sitting upright against a wall
- Face down on their stomach
Correct answer: Recovery position on their side
The recovery position keeps the airway open and prevents aspiration if the victim vomits.
Question 3: Which symptom might appear after naloxone reverses an overdose in a dependent person?
- Acute opioid withdrawal such as agitation, nausea, and sweating (Correct answer)
- Permanent paralysis
- Immediate full recovery with no side effects
- Sudden deep sedation
Correct answer: Acute opioid withdrawal such as agitation, nausea, and sweating
Naloxone can precipitate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent people.
Question 4: Naloxone will have little to no effect on an overdose caused by which substance?
- Alcohol or benzodiazepines alone (Correct answer)
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Oxycodone
Correct answer: Alcohol or benzodiazepines alone
Naloxone only reverses opioids and does not work on alcohol or benzodiazepines by themselves.
Question 5: When giving rescue breaths to an apneic overdose victim with a pulse, what rate is recommended for an adult?
- About 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 per minute) (Correct answer)
- 1 breath every 2 seconds
- 1 breath every 30 seconds
- As fast as possible
Correct answer: About 1 breath every 6 seconds (10 per minute)
Rescue breathing for an adult with a pulse is delivered at roughly 10 breaths per minute.
Question 6: Why is it safe to give naloxone even if you are unsure the emergency is an opioid overdose?
- Naloxone has essentially no harmful effect if no opioids are present (Correct answer)
- It always reverses any drug overdose
- It will wake the person regardless of cause
- It treats heart attacks too
Correct answer: Naloxone has essentially no harmful effect if no opioids are present
Naloxone is harmless when no opioids are in the system, so it can be given safely when in doubt.
Question 7: What should you do if naloxone is not available but the victim is not breathing?
- Begin rescue breathing and CPR as needed while waiting for EMS (Correct answer)
- Do nothing until naloxone arrives
- Give them coffee to stimulate them
- Walk them around to keep them awake
Correct answer: Begin rescue breathing and CPR as needed while waiting for EMS
Ventilation and CPR sustain oxygen delivery and are critical even without naloxone.
CPR Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone 3
A bystander finds an unresponsive person with a needle nearby and shallow breathing.
What is the first action?