A patient who overdosed on narcotic cough syrup receives naloxone. What is the priority intervention?

• A. Assess for signs of respiratory depression
• B. Monitor the client's pulse oximeter reading
• C. Place a tracheostomy tray at the client's bedside
• D. Determine if the overdose was accidental

Answer: (A)

Opioids depress the brain’s respiratory drive, so the immediate danger after overdose is compromised ventilation. Naloxone can rapidly reverse this effect, but its duration may be shorter than the opioid’s, meaning breathing can decline again as the antidote wears off. The priority is to assess the patient’s respiratory status continuously—watch the rate, depth, effort, and chest movement, and monitor oxygenation with pulse oximetry. Be ready to provide airway support or assist ventilation if respirations become inadequate, and be prepared for possible repeat dosing of naloxone if depressions recur. Monitoring oxygen saturation and stability is important, but ensuring the patient is breathing adequately takes precedence over other actions like preparing a tracheostomy tray or determining how the overdose occurred.