Final answer:
The false statement describes the incorrect action to be taken when someone is unconscious and gasping for air. CPR should be initiated instead of the recovery position, as this agonal breathing indicates a life-threatening condition that requires immediate action to maximize the chances of survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient is unconscious/not responding and is gasping, the correct response would be false. When someone is found unconscious and gasping, which is also known as agonal breathing, it is not sufficient to simply place them in the recovery position and monitor them. This type of gasping is a sign of cardiac arrest, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be initiated immediately. Agonal breathing is an inadequate form of breathing that cannot sustain life and should be treated as a medical emergency.
It is important to remember that CPR standards call for chest compressions of at least 5 cm deep at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. These compressions help to manually compress the blood within the heart to push it into the pulmonary and systemic circuits, which is critical for supplying blood and oxygen to the brain. The longer the brain goes without oxygen, the higher the risk of brain cell death.
In the case of unconscious individuals, especially if general anesthesia is involved or post-surgery, maintaining an open airway is vital. A procedure such as endotracheal intubation may be used to safeguard the airway and ensure the patient's ability to breathe until they can regain control of their respiratory muscles. In summary, an unconscious person who is gasping should receive CPR immediately, and emergency medical services should be called. The chance of recovery is higher if CPR is initiated within minutes, especially without water in the lungs. Rescue efforts should not cease until the patient regains spontaneous contraction or is declared deceased by a healthcare professional.