If a patient overdoses and vomits while unresponsive, what should you do first?

Turning the patient onto their side is the most effective initial action in the scenario of an unresponsive patient who has vomited. This position helps prevent aspiration, which occurs when vomit or other fluids enter the airway and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or airway obstruction. By placing the patient in a lateral position, the risk of these complications is significantly reduced because gravity assists in keeping the vomit from entering the trachea.

Prioritizing the patient's safety and maintaining a clear airway is crucial in emergency care, especially in cases of overdose where consciousness is impaired. Once the patient is turned onto their side, further assessment and interventions like suctioning or airway management can be performed safely, but protecting the airway from aspiration takes precedence when dealing with an unresponsive individual.