Opioid Treatment Algorithm

Basic Life Support Certification & Recertification

Nationally accepted
Flexible timing
Compliant with ECC Guidelines
Earn CE Credit Hours

Understanding Opioid Treatment Algorithm

The opioid treatment is a guide to use the opioid medicine on the drug users to control immense pain and discomfort. These are synthetic or semi-synthetic chemicals that work with the brain receptors to reduce the perception of immense pain. Prescribed opioid medicines are used to treat acute pain syndrome like recovering from an injury or trauma.

Step-By-Step Breakdown

The opioid treatment algorithm is designed to understand the steps needed to be taken to complete the treatment process in case of an overdose. The flowchart will enhance the chances of providing an accurate treatment to the patient ensuring positive outcome. The flowchart will help to take a systematic approach for opioid treatment.

Step by step analysis of flowchart

Patient Identification
- Age
- Usage of drugs
- Tenure of addiction
Assess the Symptoms
- Shallow respiration with very slow response
- Very small pupils
- Moaning to stimulation and hard to arouse
In Case of Overdose
- Provide rescue breaths
- Administer naloxone to reverse the effect of opioid
- Call 911
- Activate the Emergency Response System
Conduct CPR
- Apply CPR if the person is gasping for breath
- Begin with hands-only CPR
- Wait for Naloxone and AED
Administer Naloxone
- For intranasal use Naloxone 2mg-4mg
- For Intramuscular use Naloxone 0.4-2mg
- Repeat this procedure after 4 minutes
If the Person Responses
- Check the breathing pattern
- Continue with Naloxone as it can lose its effect
- Begin rescue breathing with a barrier device or give a second dose of Naloxone.
If the Person Doesn’t Respond
- Start CPR again with rescue breaths
- Use AED

Highlights of Opioid Treatment Algorithm

Assessment of the Patient
Quickly understand the patient’s details. Know the age, amount of the dosage and the tenure of addiction.
Evaluate the Symptoms
Understand the responsiveness of the patient. Check whether there are small pupils or the patient is gasping for breath.
Check for Overdose
If you think there is an overdose, call 911. Before providing CPR, administer Naloxone and try activating the emergency response system.
Perform CPR
Start performing hands-only CPR if the person is gasping for breath. Try giving rescue breath with a barrier device.
Administer Naloxone
If you are using intramuscular Naloxone, use 0.4-2mg and for intranasal, use 2mg-4mg.
Positive Response-
In case the patient is responding to Naloxone, check the breathing pattern and give a second dose before the effects go away.
Negative Response-
If the patient does not respond at all, continue with CPR and also use AED if needed.

All CPR Algorithms

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This algorithm on simple adult basic life support is a streamlined approach

Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm

The Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm is a foundational guide for professionals