When treating a patient for an overdose, what is the highest priority of care?

In cases of overdose, the highest priority of care is managing the airway and breathing. This is crucial because an overdose can lead to respiratory depression or airway compromise due to the effects of the substance ingested, which may diminish the patient’s ability to breathe adequately. Ensuring that the patient has a clear airway and is breathing effectively is vital for preventing hypoxia, brain damage, or even death.

While determining what and how much drug was taken is important for treatment and may guide further management, it cannot take precedence over ensuring the patient is stable in terms of respiratory function. Similarly, establishing the patient's risk for suicide is a significant consideration in the context of overdose, particularly for assessing mental health; however, immediate physical stabilization must come first. While contacting law enforcement may be necessary in certain situations, especially if foul play is suspected or for legal reasons, it is not a priority compared to ensuring the patient’s life is safe through airway and breathing management.