Place the immediate actions in order after an adult collapses in a hospital corridor and has no normal breathing.
Ordered Response
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Rapidly confirm cardiac arrest, activate the response system, and obtain a defibrillator. Begin high-quality CPR immediately while the device is arriving. Analyze the rhythm and shock ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia without delay. Resume compressions immediately after either a shock or no-shock decision and continue the ALS algorithm with minimal interruptions.
Correct sequence Confirm arrest → activate and get the defibrillator → start CPR → analyze and shock if indicated → resume CPR immediately.
Why this is correct Survival depends on early high-quality compressions and prompt defibrillation for a shockable rhythm. Pulse and breathing checks must not create a prolonged pause.
NCLEX decision rule After every shock or no-shock decision, return to compressions immediately unless signs of life require reassessment.
References
1AHA 2025 Adult Basic Life Support
2AHA 2025 Adult Advanced Life Support
Adult cardiac arrestThe nurse has gloves and a mobile phone. A second responder and an automated external defibrillator can arrive within moments. Follow the 2025 AHA adult BLS and ALS sequence.
Agonal Breathing — Abnormal gasping that is not normal breathing and can occur during cardiac arrest.
Compression Fraction — The proportion of resuscitation time during which chest compressions are being delivered.
Defibrillation — An unsynchronized shock used to terminate ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.