Final answer:
An unresponsive patient overdosing on a CNS depressant is expected to have bradypneic respirations, indicating a slower than normal breathing rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
An unresponsive patient who overdosed on a central nervous system depressant drug would be expected to have bradypneic respirations. This means that the patient would be breathing at a slower rate than normal. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as barbiturates, opiates, and benzodiazepines, can significantly slow down brain activity. As a result, one of the functions affected is the respiratory rate.
CNS depressants can impair the respiratory centers in the brain that control breathing. Generally, an overdose of these types of drugs will lead to hypoventilation, which is slower or shallower breathing. Hypoventilation can cause hypercapnia, which is an elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood, potentially leading to respiratory acidosis and further health complications.