Which statement describes an appropriate response to a patient who becomes unresponsive and not breathing during a dental appointment?

Study for the Missouri EFDA Basic Skills Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification exam!

When a patient becomes unresponsive and not breathing, the immediate priority is to get emergency help and start life-saving chest compressions if you’re trained. This situation means there’s no effective circulation or oxygen delivery, so you must act right away to keep blood flowing to the brain and heart. Start by checking for responsiveness, then shout for help to summon others and the emergency response system. If an AED is available, have someone bring it to the patient and turn it on as soon as possible, following the prompts. If you’re trained, begin CPR with chest compressions and rescue breaths according to your training. If you’re not trained, perform hands-only CPR with continuous chest compressions until help arrives or the AED is ready. Delays like waiting for symptoms to pass, moving the patient away from help, or offering water won’t address the emergency and can worsen outcomes.