If a patient has overdose, who should you call?

• A. 911
• B. Primary care physician
• C. Poison Control
• D. Emergency department

Answer: (C)

The key idea is to use a poisoning expert as the first resource in a suspected overdose. A poison control center provides immediate, 24/7 access to clinicians who specialize in toxicology and have up-to-date, substance-specific information. They can identify what was taken, estimate the level of risk, and guide you through the safest next steps. This often means telling you whether at-home care is appropriate or whether the person needs to go to the emergency department for monitoring or antidotal treatment. The goal is to get the right guidance quickly and avoid unnecessary ED visits while ensuring patient safety. If the person is currently in life-threatening danger—unresponsive, not breathing, or having a seizure—call emergency services right away.