JBL EMT Practice Exam

When performing a primary assessment, what life-threatening condition should be managed first?

1. Airway obstruction

2. Cardiac arrest

3. External bleeding

4. Respiratory failure

The correct answer is: Airway obstruction

During a primary assessment, the top priority is to address an airway obstruction. This is because without a clear airway, the patient will not be able to breathe effectively, leading to hypoxia and ultimately a life-threatening situation. Managing the airway obstruction first ensures that the patient can receive adequate oxygenation, which is essential for the functioning of vital organs. Therefore, the correct answer is A. In the context of the other options: - Cardiac arrest is a critical condition, but if the airway is obstructed, the patient will not be able to benefit from interventions aimed at addressing cardiac arrest. - External bleeding, while important to control to prevent blood loss, is not as immediately life-threatening as an airway obstruction. - Respiratory failure is serious, but if there is an airway obstruction, addressing it takes precedence over managing respiratory failure.