In drug overdose management, which action is performed specifically for narcotic overdoses?

In drug overdose management, which action is performed specifically for narcotic overdoses?

• A. Give naloxone
• B. Administer activated charcoal
• C. Perform defibrillation
• D. Administer insulin

Answer: (A)

Narcotic (opioid) overdoses cause life-threatening respiratory depression, so the immediate, specific treatment is reversing the opioid effects with an opioid antagonist. Giving naloxone works by binding to opioid receptors and displacing the narcotics, rapidly reversing CNS and respiratory depression. It often acts within minutes and can be given by several routes (intranasal or IV) depending on the setting and patient needs. The other options aren’t specific to opioid toxicity: activated charcoal is a general decontamination measure for some ingestions if airway protection and timing permit; defibrillation is for cardiac arrest or certain rhythm problems; insulin is used for hyperglycemia or diabetes management.

Narcotic (opioid) overdoses cause life-threatening respiratory depression, so the immediate, specific treatment is reversing the opioid effects with an opioid antagonist. Giving naloxone works by binding to opioid receptors and displacing the narcotics, rapidly reversing CNS and respiratory depression. It often acts within minutes and can be given by several routes (intranasal or IV) depending on the setting and patient needs.

The other options aren’t specific to opioid toxicity: activated charcoal is a general decontamination measure for some ingestions if airway protection and timing permit; defibrillation is for cardiac arrest or certain rhythm problems; insulin is used for hyperglycemia or diabetes management.