Your patient is a 73-year-old man who is sitting in a recliner, cyanotic, pulseless, and apneic. The patient's skin is cool and dry. The patient's wife last saw him an hour and a half ago. Which of the following should you do first?
A) Check for rigor mortis.
B) Start CPR.
C) Attach the monitor/defibrillator.
D) Inform the patient's wife that he is dead and nothing can be done for him.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is presenting with signs of cardiac arrest and therefore, immediate CPR should be started to increase the chances of resuscitation. Option A, checking for rigor mortis, is not necessary as the patient's clinical presentation already suggests cardiac arrest. Option C, attaching the monitor/defibrillator, can be done while CPR is in progress. Option D, informing the patient's wife that he is dead and nothing can be done for him, should be done after attempts at resuscitation have been exhausted.

Your Patient Is a 73-Year-Old Man Who Is Sitting in a Recliner