Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What is the best initial action for a patient in respiratory arrest?

1. Perform CPR immediately

2. Initiate rescue breathing

3. Call for advanced medical help

4. Assess for response

The correct answer is: Initiate rescue breathing

In a scenario where a patient is in respiratory arrest, the most appropriate initial action is to initiate rescue breathing. This step is crucial because while the heart may still be beating, the patient is not adequately ventilating and is unable to breathe on their own. By providing rescue breaths, you can deliver oxygen to the lungs and help maintain oxygenation in the body until further medical assistance can be provided or the patient can resume normal breathing. Engaging in rescue breathing effectively supports the vital process of oxygen exchange, which is critical for preventing organ damage due to hypoxia. The focus here is on addressing the immediate need for oxygen delivery rather than performing CPR, which would be the next step if the heart were not beating. Calling for advanced medical help is also vital, but rescue breathing directly addresses the respiratory emergency at hand. Assessing for response is an important step but not the most immediate action required when a patient is confirmed to be in respiratory arrest.