New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

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What is typically the immediate action taken if a patient is found unresponsive?

  1. Assess their breathing

  2. Check for a pulse

  3. Begin CPR

  4. Call for advanced support

The correct answer is: Assess their breathing

The most appropriate immediate action when a patient is found unresponsive is to assess their breathing. This step is critical because determining whether the patient is breathing or not informs the responder's next actions. If the patient is not breathing or breathing abnormally, it indicates the need for urgent intervention, such as administering CPR. Assessing breathing helps categorize the condition of the patient better. If they are breathing, then the focus can shift toward protecting the airway and monitoring their status. If breathing is absent, it becomes paramount to take further actions, often leading to the initiation of CPR to preserve life and maintain circulation until advanced support arrives. While checking for a pulse and calling for advanced support are necessary components of emergency care, assessing breathing serves as a foundational step in the assessment process. It directly guides the response actions, making it vital to determine the immediate needs of the patient.