Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Upon arrival to a scene where CPR is being performed on a patient suspected of a heart attack, what is your first action?

1. Begin CPR

2. Confirm the patient is in cardiac arrest

3. Administer oxygen

4. Check the patient's pulse

The correct answer is: Confirm the patient is in cardiac arrest

The first action upon arriving at a scene where CPR is already being performed on a patient suspected of having a heart attack is to confirm that the patient is indeed in cardiac arrest. This is crucial because starting CPR without confirming cardiac arrest may not be appropriate if the patient still has a pulse or is responsive, although it may appear otherwise at first glance. By verifying that the patient has no pulse and is not breathing normally, you can ensure that the actions taken afterward, whether continuing CPR or providing other interventions, are appropriate and necessary. Administering oxygen, starting CPR, or checking for a pulse before confirming cardiac arrest could delay necessary treatment or result in inappropriate actions based on the patient’s actual condition. Therefore, identifying the state of the patient accurately allows for immediate and effective management of cardiac emergencies.