You are summoned to the scene of a suspected cocaine overdose. The patient has been subdued and restrained with handcuffs by police on scene. The patient is sweating profusely, extremely agitated, and screaming profanities loudly. Vital signs reveal tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypertension. The MOST appropriate treatment for this patient is:

a. To ensure safety, allow the police to transport the patient as there is no antidote for cocaine overdose
b. Have the police remove the handcuffs, initiate an intravenous line and give 5–10 mg diazepam IVP
c. Administer flumazenil to reverse the effects of the cocaine
d. Administer diazepam 5–10 mg intramuscularly to the patient

d
Rationale: a. This patient is at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest due to excited delirium and needs emergency care.
b. This potentially may put the rescuer at risk of harm from the patient and may not be the best course of action.
c. Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist and will have no effect on cocaine overdose.
d. Correct.