If a patient who has fainted does not regain consciousness quickly, what should you do next?

• A. Reassure them
• B. Check for signs of life and start CPR
• C. Give them water
• D. Call a doctor

Answer: (B)

When someone faints and doesn’t regain consciousness quickly, the priority is to assess life and act quickly to protect circulation and breathing. The first step is to check for signs of life—are they breathing, moving, or coughing? If there are no signs of life, start CPR immediately to keep blood flowing to the brain and vital organs while help is on the way. Call for emergency assistance right away.

If there is a pulse but no normal breathing, provide rescue breaths and monitor the person until help arrives. If there is no pulse, proceed with chest compressions—about 100–120 compressions per minute with full chest recoil—and deliver rescue breaths as trained, using an AED as soon as it’s available. Reassurance or giving drinks won’t address the underlying emergency and could delay lifesaving action.