You have been called for a 47-year-old female who has "passed out." As you enter the patient's apartment, you find her supine on the living room floor with a cool wash cloth on her forehead. She states that she was standing and talking on the telephone when everything went dark. When she came to, she was on the floor. What should be your first action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first action should be to assess and obtain vital signs while the patient is still supine. This will help to determine if there are any immediate life-threatening issues, such as low blood pressure or hypoxia. Only after that should the patient be moved to the ambulance for transport if necessary. Sitting the patient upright could cause them to faint again, and inserting a nasopharyngeal airway is not necessary unless there are indications of airway obstruction.

You Have Been Called for a 47-Year-Old Female Who Has