Ryanair Initial Practice Exam

How could you examine an unconscious casualty?

1. Look and listen for breathing for up to 10 seconds

2. Check for a pulse immediately

3. Shake the casualty to check for responsiveness

4. Call their name loudly

The correct answer is: Look and listen for breathing for up to 10 seconds

Examining an unconscious casualty begins with assessing their breathing, which is essential for determining their level of consciousness and immediate needs. Listening and looking for breathing for up to 10 seconds allows you to establish whether the casualty is breathing normally, which is a critical factor in providing appropriate care. If the casualty is not breathing or if their breathing is irregular, it would indicate a potentially life-threatening situation that requires urgent action, such as calling for emergency help or beginning resuscitation measures. This initial step helps lay the groundwork for further interventions and care. Examining a pulse or shaking the casualty, while relevant in other contexts, should take place only after assessing breathing, as breathing is the priority in unconscious patients. Calling the person’s name loudly may not effectively assess the situation since an unconscious individual typically would not respond. Therefore, checking the breathing first is the correct and most effective method in this scenario.