OVERVIEW

Acute Opioid Overdose Course is organized by NurseCe4less.

Statement of Learning Need:
There are multiple types of opioids and ways that opioids may be misused. Opioid use disorder is a serious and growing national health concern. Synthetic opioid use has led to increased drug overdose deaths every year. Hospital emergency department admissions of opioid overdoses has risen at alarming numbers, and all members of the health team need to be alert to the signs of an opioid use disorder, methods of diversion or concealing drugs, and to be prepared to assist affected individuals with a substance use problem and/or other comorbid concerns.

Course Purpose:
To provide health clinicians with knowledge of the pharmacological profile, epidemiology, potential health risks of opioid use, alternatives to the use of opioids and treatment for the patient to recover.

Course Summary:
The misuse of opioids is a serious public health problem in the United States. The number of deaths in the United States from acute overdose of opioids increased over the past decade and in two-thirds of the deaths from drug overdose have been reportedly due to the use of opioids. Ingestion of an opioid that is done to evade arrests and ingestion of sealed packages of opioids done to clandestinely carry large amounts of opioids has been reported. The pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment of acute opioid intoxication are discussed.