What should responders be prepared to do in suspected DVT or PE?

• A. Be prepared to resuscitate
• B. Start intravenous antibiotics
• C. Administer epinephrine
• D. Perform mouth-to-mouth only

Answer: (A)

When a DVT or PE is suspected, the immediate danger is rapid deterioration to life-threatening cardiac or respiratory collapse. Responders should be prepared to resuscitate because there may be no time to wait for further assessment or treatment. This means being ready to start CPR right away if there is no pulse and to use an AED as soon as it is available, while calling for additional help and providing supportive breaths or high-flow oxygen as appropriate. Antibiotics aren’t a first-line response for suspected DVT/PE, and epinephrine isn’t routinely used for these conditions unless it’s part of a cardiac arrest or another separate indication. Mouth-to-mouth alone isn’t the approach; if trained, follow full CPR with chest compressions and rescue breaths as indicated, continuing until help arrives or the patient regains a pulse.