Final answer:
In a suspected opioid overdose where the adult victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally but has a pulse, call for emergency help, administer rescue breathing, and use naloxone if trained and available. Naloxone is an opioid-overdose antidote that can reverse the effects of opioids and is a key element in emergency response programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Responding to an Opioid-Associated Life-Threatening Emergency
If an adult victim is suspected of having an opioid-associated life-threatening emergency and is unresponsive, not breathing normally, but has a pulse, you should immediately call for emergency medical help. Following that, you should administer rescue breathing to provide the necessary oxygen to the victim's lungs. If you are trained and it is available, you should also administer naloxone (Narcan), which is an opioid-overdose antidote.
Naloxone works by temporarily reversing the effects of opioids, particularly the depression of the respiratory system. It helps the person wake up and continue breathing until professional medical help arrives. Knowledge of CPR and the use of naloxone can be lifesaving in such situations and are crucial parts of emergency response programs tackling the opioid epidemic.
It's important to regularly monitor the victim's breathing and pulse until emergency responders take over. Continuous check-ups are essential to ensure that the individual remains stable and to provide additional doses of naloxone if needed, as the antidote might wear off before emergency services arrive, and symptoms may return.