When encountering a patient who is conscious but verbalizes they have collapsed, what should you do immediately?

In the scenario where a patient is conscious and verbalizes that they have collapsed, the immediate priority is to assess the patient’s responsiveness and check for breathing. This step is crucial because it helps determine the patient’s current condition and the appropriate course of action.

By assessing responsiveness, you can gauge their level of consciousness and cognitive function, which helps in identifying any potential changes in their neurological status. Checking for breathing is vital as it informs you if the patient is in respiratory distress or has any airway compromise. Should the patient be unresponsive or not breathing adequately, this could indicate a life-threatening situation that requires urgent intervention.

Following this assessment, if the patient is found to be unresponsive and not breathing, emergency measures, such as calling for backup, administering oxygen, or starting chest compressions, may become necessary based on your findings.

The other options focus on actions that may not be appropriate until the initial assessment has been completed. For instance, calling for backup is important in many situations, but it should not take precedence over immediate assessment in a medical emergency involving potential respiratory or cardiac issues. Administering oxygen or beginning chest compressions may also be inappropriate if the patient is still conscious and able to provide information about their condition. Hence, an initial