Managing Analgesic Overdose: A Comprehensive Review for Nursing Professionals

NIHE Faculty

Analgesic overdose is a critical medical emergency that poses significant challenges for healthcare professionals, including nurses. This Continuing Education (CE) article aims to provide nursing professionals with a comprehensive understanding of analgesic overdose, its epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical manifestations, and evidence-based management strategies. By achieving this, nurses can enhance their knowledge and skills in identifying, assessing, and effectively managing patients at risk of or experiencing analgesic overdose. This article covers key learning objectives including recognizing the types and mechanisms of analgesic overdose, assessing patients at risk, implementing appropriate interventions, and preventing complications. By reviewing current literature, nurses will gain valuable insights into evidence-based practices for optimizing patient outcomes in analgesic overdose scenarios.

CE Hours:  2

Course Outline

1.  Learning Objectives
2. Introduction 
3. Epidemiology and Risk Factors
4. Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacological Properties
5.  Clinical Manifestations and Signs
6. Assessment and Nursing Interventions
7. Complications and Long-Term Sequelae
8. Conclusion

Accreditation Statement

National Institute for Healthcare Education the parent company of TopNurseCE.com is a CA Board of Registered Nursing CE Provider #13886. In this course we will discuss A-Fib and stroke risk. It will take the average learner 2 hours to complete. 

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, the learner will rate 4 out of 5 on the Likert Scale for their ability to:

1. Be familiar with the risk factors and contributing causes associated with analgesic overdose.
2. Identify the mechanisms of action and pharmacological properties of common analgesics implicated in overdose cases.
3. Recognize the clinical manifestations and signs of analgesic overdose.
4. Utilize appropriate assessment techniques to evaluate patients at risk of analgesic overdose.
5. Implement evidence-based interventions for managing analgesic overdose, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.
6. Be able to discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of patients experiencing analgesic overdose.
7. Evaluate strategies for preventing analgesic overdose and promoting safe medication use among patients.
8. Recognize the potential complications and long-term sequelae of analgesic overdose and implement appropriate interventions to mitigate these risks.

Target Audience

• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

Requirement for Completion

1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
2. Read and learn all course materials
3. Complete the course evaluation
4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

Accreditations + Approvals

• California Board of Registered Nursing (CEP 13886)

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

National Institute for Healthcare Education,TopNurseCE.com nor any of the authors, planners, content experts, or any contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.