An unconscious patient is brought to the emergency department and intubated after respiratory arrest. The patient has a regular pulse. The patient's spouse suspects an opioid overdose but does not know which drug may have been taken. The nurse will anticipate giving which medication or performing which treatment?

A. Gastric lavage: Gastric lavage is rarely used and is only indicated shortly after ingestion of a potentially life-threatening oral toxin. In this scenario, the patient is already unconscious with respiratory arrest, and the timing and unknown drug make lavage less effective and potentially risky. B. Naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose. Administering it can restore adequate ventilation and consciousness in patients with suspected opioid toxicity. It is the first-line treatment in emergency settings for opioid-induced respiratory compromise. C. Activated charcoal: Activated charcoal can bind certain ingested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, but it is ineffective for opioids that have already been absorbed or for patients who are unconscious and intubated. Its use is limited in this acute scenario. D. Flumazenil: Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepine effects, not opioids. Administering it would not improve respiratory depression caused by an opioid overdose and could precipitate seizures in patients with chronic benzodiazepine use. It is not indicated in this situation.