If an adult is unresponsive and there is no response to stimuli, which signal indicates a need for CPR?

Prepare for the Alberta College of Paramedics Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

In the context of assessing an unresponsive adult, the lack of a pulse is a critical indicator that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required. The absence of a pulse signifies that the heart is not effectively pumping blood to the rest of the body, which is a life-threatening condition. CPR is essential in this scenario as it can help to maintain blood flow to vital organs until professional medical help arrives or until the heart can be restarted.

While the presence of breathing and responses to stimuli are important factors in assessing a patient's overall condition, they do not indicate the immediate need for CPR in the same way that the absence of a pulse does. For instance, a person may be unresponsive but still have a weak or irregular pulse and occasional gasping breaths, which may not warrant the initiation of CPR until further evaluation.

In a life-threatening situation, the presence of breathing alone does not negate the need for immediate action if there is no pulse. Thus, the key indicator for the need for CPR in an unresponsive adult is the confirmed absence of a pulse, making it the correct answer in this scenario.

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