Question

your roommate uses opioids. you find him unresponsive with no breathing, but he has a strong pulse. you suspect an opioid overdose. a friend is phoning 9 - 1 - 1 and looking for the naloxone kit. what action should you take?

○ remain with your roommate until the naloxone arrives and administer it immediately

○ provide rapid defibrillation with an aed

○ begin cpr, starting with chest compressions

○ provide rescue breathing: 1 breath every 6 seconds

Explanation:

When a person is unresponsive with no breathing but has a strong pulse (indicating cardiac arrest has not occurred yet), rescue breathing is appropriate. Naloxone is for opioid overdose but until it arrives, rescue breathing (1 breath every 6 seconds) helps provide oxygen. Chest compressions (CPR) are for when there is no pulse. AED is for shockable rhythms (usually when there is no pulse and cardiac arrest). Remaining just to wait for naloxone without providing immediate respiratory support (since no breathing) is not correct as lack of breathing can cause brain damage.

Answer:

Provide rescue breathing: 1 breath every 6 seconds.