What is the recommended action for a patient in asystole?

In the case of a patient in asystole, the immediate recommended action is to start high-quality CPR. Asystole, which is a state of no cardiac electrical activity, does not respond to defibrillation since there is no organized electrical rhythm to reset. Therefore, initiating CPR is critical as it helps to maintain blood flow to vital organs and provides oxygenation until advanced interventions can be performed.

High-quality CPR focuses on effective chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute with adequate depth and allowing full chest recoil. This is essential to create some circulation to organs, even in the absence of a palpable pulse. After starting CPR, the administration of epinephrine can be considered as part of the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocol, but immediate chest compressions take precedence in managing asystole.

Assessing the airway is also necessary in the resuscitation process, but it is not the first step when a patient is found to be in asystole. The key focus must be on providing effective compressions to support blood flow and oxygen delivery as resuscitation efforts continue.