A Guide to Narcan and Heroin

Overdose
By: Nicholette DeMarco, Josh DeSalvo, Katie Dougher
Catherine Garcia, Vanessa Gonzalez, Adeyemi Shodipo,
Jasmine Smith, Kyle Rocco and Tramaine Tillis
 Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat
faster than it can produce heat and your body
temperature falls below 95 F (35 C)

 Remove wet clothing. Replace wet things with

warm, dry coats or blankets.

 If further warming is needed, do so gradually. For

example, apply warm, dry compresses to the
center of the body — neck, chest and groin.
 In the ER tx with warm IV fluids
 Heroin is usually acquired via a drug dealer

 Prices range from about $20-$160

 Heroine can be injected IV,IM, or Sub Q

 It can also be snorted intranasally, or burned

and the vapors inhaled, this is called “chasing
the dragon”
 When heroin enters the body, it binds rapidly to opioid
receptors in the brain causing a surge of pleasurable
sensation called a “Rush”.

 “RUSH” is flushing of the skin, dry mouth, itching,

drowsiness, bradycardia, bradypnea and blocking of pain
neurotransmitters.

 Long term use leads to an imbalance of physical, physiology

neural and hormonal changes that cannot be easily reversed

 Ex. addiction, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal,

restlessness, insomnia, fever and chills, impaired memory,
kidney and liver diseases, cancer. e.t.c
 Prioritize care: (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)

 Ventilation tx is implemented from bag valve mask to mechanical

ventilation.

 Pt. will receive 0.04 mg of naloxone in 50% dextrose through I.V. q

2-3 min. up to a max of 15 mg, until respiratory condition improves
 Pt is at risk for complications such as pulmonary edema and
acute renal failure.
 Pulmonary edema =maintain a mechanical airway through
oraltracheal intubation followed by administration of glycerol
trinitrate 50 mg in 50 ml of 0.9% saline

 Acute renal failure = 10 ml 10% calcium gluconate in 100 ml 5%

dextrose over 30 minutes to stabilize potassium’s effects on
electrical activity of heart.

 Monitor pt. for 4-6 hrs

 The Number one priority is to maintain the
airway, the victim should be put in recovery
position. Administer Narcan and have some
one call 911!
 Narcan is an antidote that can reverse the effects of
an opioid overdose and help with opiate addiction.
Narcan helps with overdoes and addictions of
prescription medications (Oxycontin, Hydrocodone)
to illegal drugs such as Heroin.

 It works by unbinding the opioid from the opioid

receptors in the body.

 Narcan can be given I.M as a 1ml dose, but is more

commonly given as a 2mg or 4mg nasal spray.
 .
 Most patients will become angry and agitated after
they recover from overdose. It is important to
show them the same care as any other patient

 Offer support and encourage the patient to seek

help from support groups to rehabilitate

 Ex. Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic is a community-

based non-profit treatment facility treating both
alcohol and other drug dependencies. Call 330-744-
1181.
 In Mahoning County, the number of overdose
deaths last year was an estimated 114, up from 92
and 66 the two years before.

 People on Heroine often exhibit unpredictable or

dangerous behavior that weakens relationships and
families
 Nicholette DeMarco
 Josh DeSalvo- Doctor Narcan
 Katie Dougher- Store worker
 Catherine Garcia- Narcan administrator
 Vanessa Gonzalez- Narrator
 Adeyemi Shodipo- Overdose patient
 Jasmine Smith- Nurse
 Kyle Rocco- Drug supplier
 Tramaine Tillis- CPR administrator
1. A patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) by a friend.
The patient is unresponsive and respirations are slow and shallow.
Which of the following is the priority intervention?

A. Check the patient’s blood glucose level

B. Administer naloxone, per protocol
C. Administer 100% oxygen per nasal cannula
D. Ask the friend if they were using illicit drugs

2. Which of the following assessment findings in a patient’s health

history supports a diagnosis of substance dependence?

A. Numerous legal problems and interpersonal conflicts

B. Withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance
C. Administer 100% oxygen per nasal cannula
D. Impaired judgment and risk-taking behaviors
 3. Emergency medical personnel bring an unconscious patient to the
emergency department. The patient’s pupils are pinpoint and
respirations are depressed. Intoxication of which of the following
substances could contribute to these clinical signs?
A. Methamphetamine
B. Methadone
C. Cocaine
D. Ecstasy
4. A patient with hypothermia is brought to the emergency department. The
nurse should explain to the family members that treatment will include?
A. Core rewarming with warm fluids
B. Ambulation to increase metabolism
C. Frequent oral temperature assessment
D. Gastric tube feedings to increase fluids

5. A nurse is assigned to the care of a client hospitalized with a diagnosis of

hypothermia. The nurse anticipates that the client will exhibit which findings on
assessment of vital signs?
A. Increased heart rate and increased blood pressure
B. Increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure
C. Decreased heart rate and increased blood pressure
D. Decreased heart rate and decreased blood pressure