Question

If the EMS provider is unable to find a patient's peripheral pulse during a Primary Assessment, what should be the next step?

1) Turn on the AED
2) Palpate the carotid pulse
3) Open the airway and insert an OPA
4) Check breathing and begin CPR

Answer 1

The next step after not finding a peripheral pulse is to palpate the carotid pulse, and if absent, start CPR and use an AED as soon as possible.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the EMS provider is unable to find a patient's peripheral pulse during a Primary Assessment, the next step should be to palpate the carotid pulse. The carotid artery, located in the neck, is one of the main arteries where a pulse can be felt, especially if peripheral pulses are not palpable. This step is critical as it provides immediate information about the patient's circulatory status. If the carotid pulse is also absent, and the patient does not appear to be breathing, this may indicate cardiac arrest, and initiating CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is crucial. It's important to note that CPR is often necessary to support blood circulation and oxygenation to vital organs, particularly the brain, until the heart can be restarted with an AED (automated external defibrillator), which should be used as soon as it is available after CPR has been initiated.