Scene & Clues
You find empty pill bottles, alcohol containers, and a patient with altered mental status. What category of emergency should be high on your differential?
Medication or substance-related overdose
Name one OTC medication that can cause serious harm when overdosed.
Acetaminophen / Aspirin / Cold & flu meds
The classic opioid overdose triad includes altered mental status, pinpoint pupils, and what?
Respiratory depression
Name a prescription medication class that may cause bradycardia and hypotension.
Beta blockers / calcium channel blockers
What is the FIRST priority in any suspected overdose?
Airway & Breathing
A bystander says, “They just got this prescription filled yesterday.” Why does this matter?
Recent access increases overdose risk
Which OTC overdose may initially seem mild but cause delayed liver failure?
Acetaminophen
What is the MOST immediate life threat in opioid overdose?
Inadequate respirations
Benzodiazepine overdose primarily affects what body system?
Central nervous system
Why should blood glucose be checked early?
Hypoglycemic episodes can mimic overdose.
Delayed onset of symptoms after ingestion should make you suspicious for what?
Extended-release meds or certain OTCs (e.g., acetaminophen)
Tinnitus, nausea, and vomiting may suggest overdose of what OTC medication?
Aspirin (salicylates)
Naloxone works by doing what?
Reversing opioid effects at receptor sites
Why are cardiac medications especially dangerous in overdose?
Narrow therapeutic range, significant hemodynamic effects
When should ALS intervention or intercept be requested?
Unable to control airway, unstable vitals
What scene finding raises concern for polysubstance use?
Multiple drug containers, alcohol + meds, mixed paraphernalia
Why are cold & flu medications especially dangerous in overdose?
Combination ingredients, stimulant and sedative effects
Why might naloxone NOT improve patient condition?
Non-opioid cause, polysubstance use, prolonged hypoxia
What assessment finding may suggest prescription sedative overdose?
Altered mental status with relatively stable pupils and respirations
Why is transport recommended even if the patient improves?
Risk of delayed effects or re-overdose (half-life of Narcan)
Why should EMTs never rely on a single scene clue to identify the cause?
Overdoses often involve multiple substances or misleading information
EMT-level care for OTC overdose focuses MOST on what?
Supportive care, airway, oxygen, rapid transport
After naloxone administration, what EMT priority must continue?
Airway and breathing support
What makes prescription overdoses difficult to identify in the field?
Similar presentations across different meds
What is one common pitfall EMS makes when handling overdose management?
Fixating on the drug instead of the patient.