A client is brought to the emergency department with drowsiness, flushed dry skin, blurred vision, urinary retention, and tachycardia. The nurse notes the patient is wearing three scopolamine patches behind the ear. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?

Rationale: A. Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid toxicity, including respiratory depression and sedation. The client’s symptoms are consistent with anticholinergic toxicity from scopolamine, not opioids, naloxone would not be effective. B. Flumazenil: Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist used to reverse sedative effects of benzodiazepines. The client’s presentation of dry flushed skin, urinary retention, and tachycardia indicates anticholinergic toxicity rather than benzodiazepine overdose, making flumazenil inappropriate. C. Atropine: Atropine is an anticholinergic agent that further blocks muscarinic receptors. Since scopolamine toxicity already produces anticholinergic effects, administering atropine would worsen symptoms rather than reverse them. D. Physostigmine: Physostigmine is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor that increases acetylcholine at synapses, counteracting the muscarinic blockade caused by scopolamine. It is the antidote for severe anticholinergic toxicity, helping to reverse delirium, urinary retention, dry skin, and tachycardia.