When providing care to a patient experiencing an overdose, what should you prioritize?

In a situation involving a patient experiencing an overdose, prioritizing the patient’s safety and consistently monitoring vital signs is crucial. This approach is foundational in emergency care, as the patient's immediate well-being can be at risk due to the effects of the overdose. By ensuring safety, you can create a stable environment for further assessment and treatment. Monitoring vital signs—such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure—provides critical data on the patient's current physiological state and can help identify any life-threatening complications that may develop.

Addressing these priorities allows for a more informed response and readiness for potential interventions, including administering antidotes or preparing for transport, based on the patient's condition. Safety and vital signs monitoring also facilitate better communication with emergency medical services if they arrive on the scene, ensuring a seamless transition of care. While gathering medical history, providing transport, and administering antidotes are important steps in managing overdose situations, they come after establishing safety and monitoring vital signs.