While assisting in the clinic, you notice a patient suddenly becomes unresponsive, is not breathing, and has no palpable pulse. After calling for help and activating the emergency response system, what is the NEXT best step you should take?
Check the patient's mouth for obstructions and remove if any are found.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions.
Elevate the patient's legs to increase blood flow to the heart.
Wait for emergency medical services (EMS) to arrive before starting any intervention.
Immediate commencement of chest compressions is crucial for a patient in cardiac arrest. This action maintains blood circulation, delivering essential oxygen to vital organs like the brain and heart. According to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, the sequence for CPR is C-A-B (Compressions, Airway, Breathing), prioritizing immediate chest compressions to minimize any delay. Elevating the patient's legs (Trendelenburg position) is not recommended as it has not been proven beneficial for cardiac arrest and may interfere with resuscitation efforts. Waiting for EMS without providing immediate intervention will lead to a poor outcome due to a lack of oxygen for vital organs. While checking the airway for obstructions is a vital part of CPR, it is performed after starting the initial cycle of chest compressions and before administering rescue breaths.
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