Starting CPR immediately is the appropriate action when a patient with a suspected opioid overdose has no pulse. The primary goal in such a situation is to ensure that blood continues to circulate to vital organs. CPR helps maintain oxygenation and circulation until emergency medical services arrive or until further medical interventions can be applied.
In the case of an opioid overdose, although administering naloxone (an opioid antagonist) is crucial and can reverse the effects of the overdose, it is not a substitute for CPR when there is no pulse. The immediate need for effective chest compressions takes precedence, as this can be lifesaving, particularly when the patient is in cardiac arrest.
Other actions, such as providing breaths only or administering water, do not address the lack of circulation that is critical in this scenario. They do not provide the necessary chest compressions to maintain blood flow, which is vital for survival. Administering naloxone should follow or accompany the initiation of CPR, but it doesn’t replace the need for immediate resuscitation efforts.