Final answer:
In the event of a patient becoming unresponsive with no breathing or pulse during an EKG, the technician should start CPR and call for help. An AED may be needed to restore normal heart rhythm, particularly in cases of ventricular fibrillation, while CPR remains the priority in asystole.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient becomes unresponsive, stops breathing, and has no pulse while having an EKG, the first appropriate action would be to start Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The technician should call for help and initiate CPR to maintain blood flow to vital organs. Once additional personnel arrive, use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) may be necessary to restore a normal heart rhythm, especially if the patient is in ventricular fibrillation, a condition where the heart beats erratically and ineffectively. If the heart stops due to a lack of electrical activity, as indicated by the flat line on the EKG (asystole), the priority remains CPR, as defibrillation is not effective in this condition.
In a hospital setting, such a situation is often referred to as a "code blue," indicating a medical emergency requiring immediate attention and life support measures. Applying a shock with an AED or defibrillator may cease any chaotic electrical activity and allow the body's natural pacemaker to resume a normal rhythm. The concept of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) also comes into play where the EKG shows electrical activity without corresponding mechanical heart action, requiring CPR and advanced life support management.