What critical intervention must occur immediately after administering naloxone if the person is only gasping?
Answer
Begin rescue breaths or CPR immediately after dosing.
When managing a suspected opioid overdose, time is critical, especially concerning oxygenation. If the person is unresponsive or exhibits inadequate breathing—defined as slow, shallow, noisy, or absent breathing—the protocol requires immediate action following the administration of the first dose of naloxone. If the person is only gasping or not breathing at all, the rescuer must immediately initiate rescue breathing techniques or CPR until the naloxone takes effect or professional medical help arrives to take over advanced life support.
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