Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is the first thing to check when a patient becomes unconscious?

1. Pulse

2. Breathing

3. Pupil response

4. Skin color

The correct answer is: Breathing

When a patient becomes unconscious, the first thing to check is their breathing. Assessing breathing is crucial because it directly relates to the patient's airway and oxygenation status. If a patient is not breathing adequately or at all, this presents an immediate risk to their life, as oxygen deprivation can lead to irreversible brain damage within minutes. Ensuring that the airway is clear and that the patient can breathe is the primary concern in any emergency situation involving unconsciousness. If breathing is not present, immediate intervention is necessary, which may include starting mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or calling for advanced medical help, depending on the situation. Although other checks like assessing the pulse, pupil response, and skin color are important indicators of the patient's condition, they come after establishing whether the patient is breathing. Focusing on breathing ensures that any further assessments and treatments can be performed appropriately, as the patient's ongoing respiration is vital for survival.