Final answer:
When suspecting an opioid emergency, immediately assess consciousness and breathing, call 911, and administer naloxone if available.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step when you suspect an opioid-associated life-threatening emergency is to assess the person’s level of consciousness and breathing. If the person is not responsive and not breathing properly, it is critical to call for emergency medical help immediately by dialing 911. While waiting for professional help to arrive, administering the opioid-overdose antidote naloxone (Narcan) if available can be lifesaving. Naloxone can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by displacing opioids from receptors in the brain, allowing the person to wake up and maintain breathing until further emergency medical treatment is provided.