What should a respiratory therapist do first when a patient is found less responsive with a weak pulse and a high heart rate?

When a patient is found less responsive with a weak pulse and a high heart rate, the priority is to ensure that immediate medical assistance is activated. In such critical situations, the well-being of the patient is at stake, and a rapid response can be life-saving. Activating the medical emergency team brings in trained personnel who can provide advanced care and interventions necessary for stabilization.

The need for urgent intervention is paramount since a weak pulse and altered responsiveness indicate potential shock, respiratory failure, or other life-threatening conditions. By activating the emergency team first, the respiratory therapist ensures that comprehensive care is delivered without delay, addressing both the immediate stabilization of the patient and the investigation of the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Other actions, such as contacting the physician for evaluation or increasing the nasal cannula oxygen flow, may be important, but they do not address the immediate need for a more significant medical response. Similarly, recommending a chest radiograph, while useful for diagnosis, is not a priority in this critical scenario. The focus must first be on activating the emergency team to ensure the patient receives prompt and appropriate medical attention.