Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

What is the priority action in a patient experiencing respiratory arrest?

1. Start chest compressions

2. Provide care for respiratory arrest, starting with ventilations

3. Administer naloxone immediately

4. Request further assistance

The correct answer is: Provide care for respiratory arrest, starting with ventilations

In a situation where a patient is experiencing respiratory arrest, the primary focus should be on restoring adequate breathing. Since respiratory arrest involves the cessation of effective breathing but may not necessarily involve cardiac arrest initially, providing care for respiratory arrest means starting with ventilations. This is crucial because oxygenation is the immediate priority; without sufficient ventilation, the patient can suffer from hypoxia, which can lead to further complications and potentially cardiac arrest if not addressed promptly. In this context, initiating ventilations can involve using a bag-mask device if available, ensuring that air is delivered adequately to the patient. This approach directly addresses the underlying issue of insufficient oxygenation due to the lack of respiratory effort. While other actions, such as administering naloxone, may be appropriate in cases where opioid overdose is suspected, that is not the first step in all cases of respiratory arrest. Similarly, while chest compressions are critical during cardiac arrest, they are not the immediate priority in respiratory arrest unless the patient progresses to cardiac arrest. Requesting further assistance can also be important, but the immediate priority remains with securing the airway and providing effective ventilations to restore breathing.