Opioid Overdose

An unresponsive person with a pulse and only shallow breaths is in danger before a toxicology result identifies the drug. Opioid overdose is managed first as a ventilation problem: assess responsiveness and breathing, activate 911/EMS, give naloxone when opioid exposure is possible, and provide rescue breathing or bag-valve-mask support. Naloxone can remove opioid suppression of the respiratory drive, but it cannot oxygenate a patient by itself and cannot replace CPR in cardiac arrest. The bedside pattern may be incomplete. Pinpoint pupils support opioid toxicity, but their absence—or a mixed exposure—must not delay treatment when breathing is slow, weak, or absent. An LVN/LPN follows the state nurse practice act, facility policy, and applicable emergency or standing protocol for the route and product used; no scope question should delay calling EMS or beginning permitted basic life support.