Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the article ‘Do heroin overdose patients require observation after receiving naloxone?
a) An observation period of one hour is sufficient for most patients with a GCS of 15, normal vital signs, and ambulating per usual who are treated with naloxone after a heroin overdose.
b) Naloxone administration by bystanders and non-medical first responders is safe and effective.
c) There is a high risk of mortality associated with not transporting patients to the hospital after receiving naloxone for a heroin overdose.
d) Patients who overdose with a long-acting opioid, such as OxyContin or methadone, may require a longer period of observation.
Answer : c
Willman MW, Liss DB, Schwarz ES, Mullins ME. Do heroin overdose patients require observation after receiving naloxone? Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2017 Feb;55(2):81-87. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2016.1253846. Epub 2016 Nov 16. PMID: 27849133
Contributed by: Scott Turner, PharmD on behalf of the Florida Poison Information Center Network