Ontario Paramedic Practice Exam

Should you still administer naloxone in an arrest with suspected overdose?

1. No, naloxone is not indicated in cardiac arrests

2. Yes, always administer naloxone in overdose situations

3. Depends on the suspected substance

4. No

The correct answer is: No

Naloxone is a medication that is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. While it may seem logical to administer naloxone in an arrest with suspected overdose, it is important to note that naloxone is typically not effective in treating cardiac arrests. In a cardiac arrest situation, the heart has already stopped beating and the individual is not breathing, making naloxone ineffective. In these cases, the focus should be on performing CPR and calling for emergency medical assistance. However, if an individual is experiencing an opioid overdose but still has a pulse and is breathing, naloxone should be administered as soon as possible. This answer also eliminates the other options because naloxone should not be administered in all overdose situations. The substance involved can affect the treatment plan and naloxone may not be appropriate or effective in certain cases.