Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

What is the priority action if an adult patient shows signs of Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC)?

1. Stop all resuscitation efforts immediately

2. Check for breathing and a carotid or femoral pulse

3. Perform CPR until the patient stabilizes

4. Notify family members of the situation

The correct answer is: Check for breathing and a carotid or femoral pulse

When an adult patient demonstrates signs of Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC), the priority action is to check for breathing and assess for a carotid or femoral pulse. This step is critical because ROSC indicates that some circulation has returned, but it does not guarantee that the patient is breathing adequately or has a stable pulse. Assessing breathing helps determine if further intervention is necessary, such as providing supplemental oxygen or assisting ventilation. Checking the carotid or femoral pulse ensures that the heart is effectively pumping blood and that the patient is hemodynamically stable. If there is no adequate pulse, immediate resuscitative measures may still be needed. Stopping all resuscitation efforts immediately overlooks the necessity of ongoing assessment, which could lead to declining patient conditions if they are not adequately supported. While performing CPR until the patient stabilizes might seem necessary, the presence of ROSC changes the approach from continuous compression to monitoring and assessing the patient's status. Notifying family members is an essential aspect of patient care but is not as urgent as evaluating the patient's immediate physical state in the context of ROSC.