NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019
Pharmacology
Easy
Antidote of opioid poisoning is?
Appeared in: NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019
Explanation
- Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist, meaning it directly blocks the effects of opioids.
- It is the drug of choice for reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression, which is the most life-threatening symptom of an overdose.
- Naloxone works by competing with opioid molecules at their receptor sites in the brain, effectively displacing them and reversing their effects.
- Its action is rapid, with effects seen within minutes of intravenous administration.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Protamine sulphate is an antidote, but it is used to reverse the anticoagulant effects of heparin, not for opioid overdose.
- Option B: Calcium gluconate is used to treat conditions like hyperkalemia (by stabilizing cardiac membranes), hypocalcemia, or magnesium toxicity. It has no role in reversing opioid effects.
- Option D: Amyl nitrite is part of the treatment for cyanide poisoning. It works by inducing methemoglobinemia, which binds to cyanide, preventing it from inhibiting cellular respiration. It is not effective for opioid poisoning.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacological antidotes for common poisonings as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- In a suspected opioid overdose, the nurse's first priority is always airway management (ABCs - Airway, Breathing, Circulation) before administering any medication.
- Nurses must closely monitor the patient's respiratory rate, level of consciousness, and oxygen saturation after giving naloxone, as its effects can wear off before the opioid is fully metabolized, leading to a return of respiratory depression.
- What if? If a patient with chronic pain on long-term opioids receives naloxone, they may experience acute, severe pain and withdrawal symptoms (agitation, nausea, vomiting). The nurse must be prepared to manage these symptoms while ensuring respiratory function is stable.
How to Approach the Question
- This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of pharmacology.
- First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Antidote' and 'opioid poisoning'.
- Mentally review the common classes of drugs and their specific reversal agents.
- Evaluate each option: Protamine sulphate is for heparin. Calcium gluconate is for hyperkalemia/CCB overdose. Naloxone is for opioids. Amyl nitrite is for cyanide.
- Select the option that correctly matches the substance (opioid) with its antidote (naloxone).
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Pharmacological antidotes for common poisonings
- Stem keywords: Antidote, opioid poisoning
- Lead-in keywords: is
Question ID
Q3zVNRps9-3pkSYSR8o68M
Reference Book
E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 170-172
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 946-948
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 4584-4586
Practise the full NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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