58: Narcotic Overdose: The Nurse's Vital Role In Initial Stabilization and Management

When we speak about narcotic overdoses, the first thing we think about is the administration of Narcan or Naloxone. However, our host Sarah Lorenzini shares how that shouldn’t always be the first thing we reach for.Sarah wants to share why Narcan is her absolute last resort, and why she tries to avoid administering it at all cost. Narcan, or Naloxone, is used to counteract the effects of opioids in the system and while it may help the patient breathe faster, it also blocks the effects of the narcotic that was managing their pain.  In some cases, it is totally necessary to use Narcan, but not every time a patient is lethargic or minimally responsive does Narcan need to be administered.In today’s episode, you will hear a story of a patient Sarah dealt with where she made the decision to administer Narcan, the very first course of action when dealing with an overdose patient, what to look for in an overdose patient, and some pro tips on how to administer Narcan when/if necessary.This episode is crucial to understanding and changing perspectives on overdose patients that could make a big difference in a life or death situation.Tune in for this and more!Topics discussed in this episode:Why Sarah was alarmed after the quick assessment of the patientHow Sarah delegated to her team of nursesThe list of medications the patient was givenThe risk of high CO2 in the systemHow to measure a patient’s CO2 levelWhat symptoms to look for in an overdose patientWhat to do first when you discover respiratory depressionWhy Sarah tries to avoid Narcan at all costsPro Tips on how to administer Narcan (if necessary)

Om Podcasten

Do you want to go from dreading emergencies to feeling confident and ready to jump into action to rescue your patient? Well, this show will let you see emergencies unfold through the eyes of a Rapid Response Nurse. With real life stories from the frontlines of nursing, host Sarah Lorenzini MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, a Rapid Response Nurse and educator, shares her experiences at rapid response events and breaks down the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and the important role the nurse plays during emergencies. If you want to sharpen your assessment skills and learn how to think like a Rapid Response Nurse, then Sarah is here to share stories, tips, tricks, and mindsets that will prepare you to approach any emergency. Every episode is packed full of exactly what you need to know to handle whatever crisis that could arise on your shift. It’s one thing to get the right answer on the test, but knowing how to detect when YOUR patient is declining and what to do when YOUR patient is crashing is what will make or break your day… and might just save your patient’s life.