Question

Your team arrives to find a 59-year-old man lying on the kitchen floor. You determine that he is unresponsive and notice that he is taking agonal breaths. What is the next step in your assessment and management of this patient?

A) Commence CPR immediately
B) Administer oxygen via face mask
C) Perform a rapid head-to-toe assessment
D) Check for a pulse in the carotid artery

Answer 1

The next step after finding an unresponsive man with agonal breathing is to check for a carotid pulse and, if absent, immediately start CPR with a focus on high-quality chest compressions.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you encounter a 59-year-old man who is unresponsive with agonal breathing, the next step in your assessment and management would be D) Check for a pulse in the carotid artery. After determining unresponsiveness and noticing abnormal breathing, checking for a pulse is crucial to determine if there is circulatory activity. If no pulse is found within 10 seconds, you should commence CPR immediately, prioritizing high-quality chest compressions.

It is vital to remember that CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving technique that should be performed by someone who is properly trained. It involves pushing on the sternum between the line at T4 and T9 to circulate blood, especially to the brain, to prevent irreversible damage. However, incorrect application of CPR can result in serious harm, and proper hand placement and technique are essential for effective resuscitation.