A 38-year-old male has just collapsed and is now lying on the floor. what is the best first action?
a. run over to the person and begin 5 cycles of cpr start giving the person rescue breaths with a one-way valve rescue mask
b. elevate the person's legs and cover them with a blanket while waiting for them to wake
c. ensure the scene is safe; if it is, tap the person's shoulder and ask if they are ok

Respuesta :

ktreyb

Answer:

Option C, ensure the scene is safe; it it is, tap the person's shoulder and ask if they are ok

Explanation:

Upon observing a person collapse, the first thing a rescuer should do is to ensure the scene is safe -- this is one of the first steps in providing basic life support (BLS). The reason to first assess the scene for safety is because the rescuer cannot help the collapsed person if they themselves become incapacitated. If the scene is not safe and the person possibly collapsed as a result of a hazard on the scene, the rescuer may inadvertently place themselves in danger instead of noticing the scene is unsafe and notifying the proper emergency services.

Once the scene is determined to be safe, the rescuer should try their best to awaken or prompt a response from the collapsed person. We do not have enough information at the moment to accurately know the patient is unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing, and pulseless which would then mean the patient is in need of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At current, the patient could have possibly simply fainted (syncope) or experienced a vasovagal event. Immediately performing chest compression can lead to unnecessary bodily harm -- high-quality CPR can fracture ribs. If the rescuer can tap on the shoulder of the person, ask if they are okay, and receive a reply, then they will not need CPR. If not response, then call emergency services and start compressions.

Best first action would be answer C.
You wouldn’t begin CPR unless you have checked first to see if the person isn’t responding and breathing on their own. If they aren’t breathing, then you would begin CPR.