A client is admitted to the emergency department following an overdose of barbiturates. What should the nurse do first?
ExplanationBarbiturates can cause significant respiratory depression. The nurse’s first action is to immediately assess the respiratory status
and assist in ventilation as needed. Monitoring the vital signs is important, but respiratory care takes precedence over the BP.
Without other injury, blood products are not necessary. Placing the client in the Trendelenburg position will put pressure from
the abdominal contents onto the diaphragm and further impair breathing.
