A patient who is unconscious arrives in the emergency department with clammy skin and constricted pupils. The nurse assesses a respiratory rate of 8 to 10 breaths per minute. The paramedics report obvious signs of drug abuse in the patient's home. The nurse suspects that this patient has had an overdose of which substance?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opioid overdose causes miosis and respiratory depression; alcohol or meth differ. Opioid overdose is characterized by constricted pupils and respiratory depression.
Nokea