Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

Upon determining that a patient is unresponsive, what should you check next during the rapid assessment?

1. Temperature and skin color

2. Breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds

3. Conduct a detailed head-to-toe examination

4. Initiate CPR immediately

The correct answer is: Breathing and pulse for no more than 10 seconds

When assessing an unresponsive patient, it is essential to quickly evaluate their breathing and pulse. This assessment should be performed for no more than 10 seconds to determine if the patient is breathing and whether there is a detectable pulse. If the patient is not breathing or has no pulse, it indicates a critical condition that requires immediate action, such as initiating CPR. Breathing and pulse assessment is a crucial step in the rapid assessment because it helps to identify whether the patient is in a state of cardiac arrest or facing respiratory issues. A quick evaluation allows responders to make informed and timely decisions, which is vital in emergency situations where every second counts. Evaluating factors like temperature and skin color can provide important information but should not be prioritized over assessing airway, breathing, and circulation in a life-threatening scenario. Conducting a detailed head-to-toe examination would be too time-consuming and could delay critical interventions. Initiating CPR immediately may be necessary if breathing and pulse assessments confirm that the patient is in cardiac arrest, but the correct protocol is to first assess these vital signs.