Question

you encounter an unresponsive 56 - year - old woman who has been taking hydromorphone for postsurgical pain. she is not breathing and has no pulse. you notice that her medication bottle is empty and suspect an opioid - associated life - threatening emergency. a colleague activates the emergency response system and is retrieving the aed and naloxone. what is the most appropriate action for you to take next?

provide rapid defibrillation with the aed

begin cpr, starting with chest compressions

wait for the naloxone to arrive before doing anything

provide 1 rescue breath every 6 seconds until naloxone arrives

Explanation:

When a person is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be initiated immediately. Chest - compressions - first CPR is the standard approach. Defibrillation with an AED is used when a shockable rhythm is detected (which is not known yet at this stage). Waiting for naloxone (which is for opioid overdose reversal) without starting CPR would delay critical life - saving measures. Rescue breaths alone are not sufficient when there is no pulse.

Answer:

Begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.