What immediate measure should an EMT take for a patient who is unresponsive and has agonal respirations?

When dealing with a patient who is unresponsive and exhibiting agonal respirations, the primary focus is on ensuring that the airway is clear and that the patient is able to receive adequate ventilation. In this scenario, inserting an oral airway is an immediate and critical action. This device helps to maintain an open airway by preventing the tongue from obstructing the patient’s airway, which is particularly important as unresponsiveness could lead to airway compromise.

Providing rescue breaths following the insertion of the oral airway is vital because the patient is unable to breathe adequately on their own due to unresponsiveness and agonal respirations. These shallow, ineffective gasps are not sufficient for maintaining adequate oxygenation, thus rescue breathing becomes necessary for sustaining life until advanced medical help can take over.

High-flow oxygen could be beneficial but is less effective if the airway is obstructed. Starting chest compressions is appropriate for a patient who is in cardiac arrest, but in the presence of agonal respirations, the immediate priority is typically airway management and providing ventilation. Monitoring blood sugar levels, while potentially relevant in assessing other conditions, is not an immediate action to take in response to unresponsiveness and inadequate breathing.

Thus, the immediate measure should focus on maintaining airway patency and ensuring effective