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Naloxone dosing aim — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateResuscitationNaloxone dosing aimDipIMC

A 31-year-old opioid-dependent man has respiratory depression after heroin use. He has a strong pulse, respiratory rate 5/min and oxygen saturation 78%. What is the most appropriate drug/dose?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Give titrated naloxone sufficient to restore adequate ventilation

Give titrated naloxone sufficient to restore adequate ventilation is the best answer because naloxone should be titrated to ventilation rather than full abrupt arousal when a pulse is present. Give amiodarone before attempting defibrillation is less appropriate because defibrillation is the priority treatment for VF or pulseless VT; Give atropine routinely during asystolic arrest is less appropriate because atropine is not routine adult ALS cardiac arrest therapy. Give adrenaline 1 mg before the first shock in VF and Give sodium bicarbonate routinely in every arrest are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines