When a patient becomes unconscious, what should be done first?

When a patient becomes unconscious, the foremost priority is to check for breathing. The rationale behind this approach is that ensuring a patient's airway is clear and that they are breathing is critical to providing appropriate care. If the patient is not breathing, immediate action, such as administering CPR, may be necessary to restore their breathing and circulation.

In this context, checking the pulse can provide important information about the circulatory status but does not take precedence over assessing breathing. If a patient is not breathing, even if their heart is still beating, they are at significant risk of oxygen deprivation and potential brain damage. Positioning the patient is relevant, particularly for responsiveness or to maintain an open airway, but first, it is essential to determine whether the patient is breathing.

In a medical emergency, adherence to the proper sequence of steps can significantly influence outcomes, making it critical to start with breathing assessment when dealing with an unconscious patient.