In a potential overdose scenario, what is the priority nursing intervention for a patient who has used heroin?

In a potential overdose scenario involving heroin use, the highest priority is maintaining airway and breathing. This is because opioids like heroin can cause significant respiratory depression, leading to hypoxia and potentially fatal outcomes. Ensuring that the patient has a clear and open airway is critical; if their breathing is compromised, they may not be able to get enough oxygen.

While administering naloxone is an important intervention to reverse opioid overdose effects, it is only effective if the airway is managed first. If the patient is not breathing or there is an obstruction, even naloxone may not prevent respiratory failure. Similarly, monitoring vital signs is crucial, but it serves as a secondary action that helps the healthcare team assess the patient's stability after ensuring that the airway and breathing are secure. Finally, contacting poison control is useful for guidelines and further treatment but does not address the immediate life-threatening condition that could arise from compromised airway and breathing. Thus, the focus on securing the airway first establishes a foundation for any further treatment to be effective.