What action should a healthcare provider take if a patient becomes unresponsive?

When a patient becomes unresponsive, the first action that a healthcare provider should take is to check for breathing and pulse. This is critical because it helps determine the patient's level of consciousness and whether immediate life-saving interventions are necessary. Assessing for breathing and a pulse allows the provider to quickly identify if the patient is in need of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other emergency measures.

In an unresponsive patient scenario, checking vital signs is paramount for understanding the urgency of the situation. If the patient is not breathing or does not have a pulse, the healthcare provider can initiate appropriate emergency protocols, such as calling for help and beginning CPR.

The other options, such as administering medication immediately, leaving the patient alone, or starting a conversation to wake them up, do not focus on assessing the patient's immediate medical condition and could exacerbate the situation. Therefore, verifying breathing and pulse is the most critical first step in responding to an unresponsive patient.