Lifeguarding Practice Test – Complete Exam Preparation

An important step in the primary assessment of a victim is looking for signs of breathing. This assessment is crucial because identifying whether a victim is breathing effectively helps determine the immediate actions needed to provide care. If a victim is not breathing, this indicates a life-threatening situation that requires intervention, typically in the form of rescue breaths or other airway management techniques.

In a primary assessment, the focus is on identifying life-threatening conditions quickly. Signs of breathing include chest rise and fall, audible breath sounds, or normal color of the victim's skin. Recognizing these signs early on can help prioritize further necessary actions, such as calling for emergency assistance or beginning CPR.

Other options are less immediate in addressing the victim's vital needs during a primary assessment. Checking blood pressure, for example, is typically part of more detailed evaluations rather than an initial assessment. Interacting with the victim by asking questions is also valuable, but it presumes the victim is alert and capable of responding, which may not always be the case. Conducting a complete physical examination would be a more in-depth process following the primary assessment and is not prioritized over the immediate need to assess breathing.