A 23-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use is found unconscious with respiratory depression after a presumed opioid overdose. Naloxone is a...

Question

A 23-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use is found unconscious with respiratory depression after a presumed opioid overdose. Naloxone is administered by paramedics with good response. In the emergency department, what is the most appropriate next step before discharge?

Accepted Answer

Provide take-home naloxone, brief counselling and linkage to addiction services

Answer

Discharge immediately now that he is awake

Answer

Start long-term benzodiazepines to prevent withdrawal

Answer

Document overdose but make no further interventions

Answer

Admit all such patients to ICU

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Opioid overdose - post-ED care

A 23-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use is found unconscious with respiratory depression after a presumed opioid overdose. Naloxone is administered by paramedics with good response. In the emergency department, what is the most appropriate next step before discharge?