Final answer:
A patient who overdosed on opioids would most likely exhibit bradypnea, which is an abnormally slow breathing rate, one of several life-threatening symptoms of an opioid overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who overdosed on an opioid would be expected to present with bradypnea. Opioids, when taken in excessive amounts, can depress the central nervous system, leading to a decrease in respiratory rate. This can be fatal since opioids can slow or stop a person's breathing, which is what usually causes overdose deaths. It's important to note that other symptoms of an opioid overdose may include pinpoint pupils, loss of consciousness, and limp body. The overdose-reversing drug naloxone is used in emergencies to counteract the life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system.