If a patient is unresponsive, what is the first action a CNA should take?

When a patient is unresponsive, the correct first action is to check for a pulse and call for emergency assistance. This step is crucial because it assesses the patient's current state and the need for immediate medical intervention. Confirming whether a pulse is present helps determine if the patient is experiencing a cardiac arrest or another emergency requiring urgent care.

Calling for emergency assistance is also vital as it ensures that trained medical personnel will arrive on the scene as quickly as possible to provide appropriate treatment. Acting swiftly in this way maximizes the chances of a positive outcome for the patient.

The other actions, such as starting CPR immediately, notifying the patient's family, or checking the patient's temperature, may be important but should only be undertaken after immediate medical assistance has been sought and an initial assessment has been conducted. CPR should be performed if there is no pulse present, and notifying the family can occur once the immediate situation is stabilized. Checking temperature is generally not a priority during a critical emergency like unresponsiveness.