What is the first action you should take when arriving at an unconscious patient?

When arriving at an unconscious patient, the first action to take is to check for responsiveness. This step is essential because it helps you assess the patient's level of consciousness and determine the appropriate course of action. By checking responsivity, you can gauge whether the patient is breathing and if there are signs of a pulse. This initial assessment informs subsequent decisions regarding the need for CPR or other interventions.

The rationale for prioritizing a check for responsiveness lies in the need to establish the patient's condition before proceeding with further actions. If the patient is unresponsive but has a pulse, for example, the focus would shift to ensuring the airway is open and monitoring breathing rather than immediately starting CPR.

Other choices might address important actions to follow the initial assessment, but without first checking responsiveness, it would be impossible to accurately determine the next steps regarding intervention like CPR or administering oxygen. Thus, establishing the patient's level of responsiveness is a critical first step in emergency medical care.