What action is taken first when assessing a patient who is unresponsive?

When assessing a patient who is unresponsive, the first critical action to take is to call for emergency assistance. This step is essential because it ensures that help is on the way while you begin to address the situation. By calling for emergency services, you activate the professional medical response that the unresponsive patient will require, which may include advanced care and transport to a medical facility.

After the call is made, you can then focus on assessing the patient further, which includes checking for breathing, assessing for a pulse, or starting CPR if necessary. However, contacting emergency services first is crucial, especially in time-sensitive situations where the health and safety of the patient are in jeopardy. This approach follows the protocol often referred to as "calling for help" as part of the primary assessment in an emergency scenario.