What is the first step when assessing a patient in respiratory distress who is unresponsive?

The first step when assessing a patient in respiratory distress who is unresponsive is to perform a primary assessment. This initial assessment is crucial as it allows the EMT to evaluate the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation quickly and effectively. In a situation where a patient is unresponsive, ensuring that the airway is clear and assessing their breathing status are vital to providing the appropriate care and intervention.

Conducting a primary assessment helps to identify any immediate life threats, including potential airway obstruction or insufficient breathing, which can inform the next steps in management. This structured approach lays the groundwork for subsequent interventions, such as providing ventilatory support or calling for additional help.

While checking for a pulse is an important part of the assessment, it is generally incorporated into the broader objective of the primary assessment, which focuses on more than just circulation. Starting CPR immediately without conducting an assessment could lead to a missed opportunity to clear the airway and initiate suitable treatment for respiratory failure. Contacting emergency services is also crucial, but before doing so, the immediate assessment of the patient’s condition must take priority to direct appropriate care.