JBL EMT Practice Exam

What should you do for a 21-year-old female who has overdosed on several narcotic medications and has slow, shallow respirations?

1. Apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask and transport at once

2. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway and begin assisted ventilation

3. Insert an oropharyngeal airway and perform oral suctioning

4. Place her in the recovery position and monitor for vomiting

The correct answer is: Apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask and transport at once

For a 21-year-old female who has overdosed on several narcotic medications and has slow, shallow respirations, option A is the most appropriate action. This is because applying oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask can help improve her breathing and increase the amount of oxygen in her body, which is crucial in cases of overdose. Option B is incorrect because inserting a nasopharyngeal airway and beginning assisted ventilation is a more advanced technique and should be reserved for cases where the person is not breathing at all. Option C is also incorrect because inserting an oropharyngeal airway and performing suctioning may be too invasive for someone in this condition and may even cause vomiting, which can lead to aspiration and further complications. Option D, placing her in the recovery position and monitoring for vomiting, is not enough to support her breathing and does not address the issue of oxygenation.