Final Answer:
The answer is (d) Call for help and assess for breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an elderly man is found lying unresponsive next to his bed, it is important to call for help immediately and assess for breathing. This is because cardiac arrest, a potentially life-threatening condition, can cause an individual to become unconscious and unresponsive. If the patient is not breathing or has no pulse, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) should be initiated.
Before performing any other interventions, such as using an AED (automated external defibrillator) or performing chest compressions, it is crucial to check if the patient is breathing and has a pulse. If the patient is not breathing, begin CPR by giving 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths. This should be repeated continuously until emergency medical services arrive or the patient’s condition improves.
In this scenario, the patient’s wife did not witness the events that led to his unresponsiveness, so it is impossible to determine the cause of his condition. Therefore, the best course of action is to call for help and assess for breathing before attempting any other interventions.