Challenge the School Nurse | National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN)

Challenge the School Nurse

October 2026

A student is found unresponsive on the football practice field. Upon arrival, the nurse assesses the following: respirations shallow and rate of 12, pulse thready, skin diaphoretic. A fellow student reports witnessing the athlete ingesting a small pill prior to practice. The nurse suspects an opioid overdose/poisoning. What is the most appropriate response of the school nurse?

1. The student is breathing on his own. The nurse will continue to closely monitor and reassess every 5 minutes.

2. Call 911 and continue to monitor the student and report current vitals upon EMS arrival.

3. Administer naloxone and call 911.

4. Instruct the coach to notify the administrator to call 911, according the current school emergency plan.

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