What should be done if a patient’s pulse is absent during assessment?

When a patient is assessed and found to have an absent pulse, it indicates that the patient is in cardiac arrest. The immediate response to this situation is to provide basic life support (BLS). BLS includes actions such as calling for emergency medical assistance, starting chest compressions, and performing rescue breaths if trained to do so.

Prioritizing BLS is crucial because it helps maintain circulation and oxygenation of vital organs until more advanced medical help can arrive. The guidelines emphasize the importance of timely intervention in cases of cardiac arrest to enhance the chances of survival and positive outcomes.

Other actions, such as placing the patient in the recovery position or checking blood pressure, are not appropriate when a pulse is absent, as these do not address the critical need for immediate resuscitation efforts. Administering oxygen also does not take precedence over initiating chest compressions in the absence of a pulse, as oxygen alone will not be effective without circulation. Thus, providing basic life support is the correct and necessary response in this emergency situation.