A patient is brought to the emergency department by friends. The friends tell the nurse that the patient was snorting cocaine at a party. On arrival to the ED the patient was agitated and aggressive with a temperature of 104.2°F
What would be the priority nursing action for this patient?
A) Monitor cardiovascular effects
B) Treat for hyperthermia
C) Ensure airway and ventilation
D) Control seizures
Ans: C
Feedback: Therapeutic management of a patient who overdoses on cocaine includes the following: (1) ensure airway and ventilation; (2) control seizures; (3) monitor cardiovascular effects, have lidocaine and defibrillator available; (4) treat for hyperthermia; (5) if cocaine was ingested, evacuate stomach contents and use activated charcoal to treat; whole bowel irrigation may be necessary to treat body packers ("mules"); and (6) refer for psychiatric evaluation and treatment in an inpatient unit that eliminates access to the drug. Include drug rehabilitation counseling. Options A, B, and D are incorrect.
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