The immediate priorities are airway and ventilatory support plus titrated naloxone. In opioid-tolerant clients, small intravenous increments are given every 2 to 3 minutes to restore adequate ventilation without unnecessarily eliminating all analgesia or precipitating severe withdrawal. Continued monitoring is required because opioid effects can outlast naloxone.
In-depth explanation
Clinical reasoning
Naloxone is titrated to adequate ventilation and arousal, not automatically to complete analgesic reversal. Excessive or rapid reversal can cause severe pain, withdrawal, hypertension, nausea, or circulatory stress.
Decision rule
Ventilate first, administer small IV increments at 2- to 3-minute intervals, and reassess after each dose. Continue observation for recurrent sedation or respiratory depression.
For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols.