Question

A nurse is in a public building when someone cries out " Help! I think he's having a heart attack!". The nurse responds to the scene and finds an unconscious adult lying on the floor. Another bystander has obtained an automated external defribrillator (AED). The nurse's first action, after making certain someone has called for emergency medical services (EMS), should be to

Answer 1

A nurse should start by checking responsiveness and breathing, proceed with CPR if necessary, and then use an AED if available.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse encounters an unconscious adult who may be having a heart attack, and after ensuring emergency medical services (EMS) have been called, the nurse's first action should be to check the person's responsiveness and breathing. If the individual is not breathing or only gasping, the nurse should begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). This is critical as CPR helps circulate blood that contains oxygen to the vital organs. After performing CPR, if an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, it should be used as soon as possible. The AED is a portable device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.