You are assessing a 61-year-old male who is confused. During the primary assessment, you cannot locate a radial pulse. Your immediate action should be to:

Question

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If you are unable to find a radial pulse, the next step is to check for a carotid pulse, which is located in the neck. This will help to determine if the patient has a pulse and whether CPR is necessary. If a carotid pulse is detected, it is important to continue with the secondary assessment to determine the cause of the confusion. It may be necessary to call for ALS assistance or start CPR if the patient's condition deteriorates. Applying the AED is not necessary at this point in the assessment.

You Are Assessing a 61-Year-Old Male Who Is Confused