Question

You stop to check breathing and pulse and clearly state: "I cannot locate a pulse." You recognize that Mr. Henderson is now experiencing which emergency condition?

a) Cardiac arrest
b) Choking
c) Hypoglycemia
d) Anaphylaxis

Answer 1

Mr. Henderson is likely experiencing cardiac arrest, which is a medical emergency where the heart stops pumping blood. Immediate action including CPR and potentially the use of an AED is necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you state, "I cannot locate a pulse," and assuming other signs of life are absent, Mr. Henderson is likely experiencing cardiac arrest. This is an emergency condition where the heart stops pumping blood effectively, leading to a cessation of circulation. During cardiac arrest, it is critical to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.

Cardiac arrest differs from the other conditions listed: Choking results in an inability to speak or breathe and is identifiable through a person clutching their throat, hypoglycemia involves low blood sugar symptoms, and anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that causes respiratory distress and a rapid drop in blood pressure. None of these conditions directly leads to an unidentifiable pulse as the primary symptom.