Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The correct answer is to check for responsiveness and call for help. This is the crucial first step in the Chain of Survival for cardiopulmonary arrest. It ensures that additional resources are mobilized quickly while simultaneously assessing the patient's condition. Checking the pulse or starting chest compressions immediately would skip this vital step. Attaching the defibrillator, while important, comes after confirming unresponsiveness and activating the emergency response system. Remember, in any emergency situation, scene safety and calling for help are always prioritized to ensure both the rescuer's safety and the mobilization of necessary resources.