When assessing an unconscious patient, what is the first action that should be taken?

In the scenario of assessing an unconscious patient, the first action should be to check for breathing. This step is crucial because the ability to breathe is an immediate indicator of whether the patient is stable or in need of urgent intervention. If the patient is not breathing, this signals a life-threatening situation that requires prompt action, potentially initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

By checking for breathing first, you can immediately determine the appropriate next steps based on the patient's responsiveness. If breathing is absent or inadequate, then administering first aid, including CPR, becomes the priority to ensure circulation and oxygenation until further help arrives.

While calling for help is also essential, it is often done simultaneously with assessing the patient or immediately after assessing their breathing. Checking for a pulse could be relevant as well, but breathing takes precedence since lack of breathing demands immediate resuscitative measures.