A nurse is caring for a client who is taking diazepam 10 mg PO three times daily. When the nurse enters the room, the client is unarousable and the vital signs are: BP 92/47 RR 7 Sp02 90% HR 72 Which medication should the nurse administer?

Rationale: A. Physostigmine: Physostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used primarily for anticholinergic toxicity. It does not reverse the effects of benzodiazepines, so it would not address the sedation, respiratory depression, or hypotension caused by diazepam overdose. B. Flumazenil: Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that competes with benzodiazepines at the GABA-A receptor, rapidly reversing sedation and CNS depression. In a client with severe diazepam overdose, flumazenil can restore consciousness and improve respiratory function, making it the medication of choice for acute management. C. Glucose: Administering glucose is indicated for hypoglycemia. While hypoglycemia can cause altered mental status, the client’s primary issue is CNS depression from benzodiazepine toxicity, and blood glucose is not noted to be low, so glucose administration would not correct the underlying problem. D. Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose. It has no effect on benzodiazepine receptors and would not improve sedation or respiratory depression caused by diazepam.