What is the PRIORITY intervention for a patient who shows coarse ventricular fibrillation and becomes pulseless?

• A. Administer medications
• B. Initiate chest compressions
• C. Call for help
• D. Attach a defibrillator immediately

Answer: (B)

When a patient exhibits coarse ventricular fibrillation and becomes pulseless, the priority intervention is to initiate chest compressions. This action is critical because effective chest compressions help maintain blood flow to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart, during a cardiac arrest. The goal is to buy time until defibrillation can be performed or medications can be administered.

Although attaching a defibrillator, administering medications, and calling for help are important steps in the overall management of a patient in cardiac arrest, they should not take precedence over starting chest compressions. Compressions should be initiated immediately to ensure that some level of circulation is maintained, providing a critical window during which other lifesaving interventions can occur.

In this context, initiating chest compressions creates a more effective environment for subsequent interventions, such as defibrillation. Therefore, beginning chest compressions is the most urgent and life-saving action.