If a patient is unresponsive, what action should you start?

If a patient is unresponsive, what action should you start?

• A. Check for breathing
• B. Call for help
• C. Open airway
• D. Start CPR

Answer: (D)

When someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, the priority is to keep blood flowing to the brain and heart. Start CPR immediately to restore circulation. Begin high-quality chest compressions right away, about 100–120 per minute and 2 inches (5 cm) deep for an adult, allowing full recoil between pushes. If you’re trained, after 30 compressions give 2 rescue breaths; if not, continue compressions until help arrives or an AED is ready to use. At the same time, shout for help and have someone call emergency services, or do it yourself if you’re alone with a phone. Retrieve and apply an AED as soon as it’s available. Opening the airway or checking breathing are useful steps, but delaying compressions to perform them can reduce vital blood flow, so the immediate action is to start CPR.

When someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, the priority is to keep blood flowing to the brain and heart. Start CPR immediately to restore circulation. Begin high-quality chest compressions right away, about 100–120 per minute and 2 inches (5 cm) deep for an adult, allowing full recoil between pushes. If you’re trained, after 30 compressions give 2 rescue breaths; if not, continue compressions until help arrives or an AED is ready to use. At the same time, shout for help and have someone call emergency services, or do it yourself if you’re alone with a phone. Retrieve and apply an AED as soon as it’s available. Opening the airway or checking breathing are useful steps, but delaying compressions to perform them can reduce vital blood flow, so the immediate action is to start CPR.