What is the first step in the management of an unresponsive patient?

In the scenario of an unresponsive patient, the first step should involve assessing the situation to ensure the patient's safety and to start appropriate interventions. The correct initial action is to check for breathing, as it helps to evaluate whether the patient is in need of immediate resuscitation. If the patient is not breathing or is breathing abnormally, this indicates the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Calling for help is certainly critical in the overall management process, but it typically follows the immediate assessment of the patient's airway and breathing status. Checking pulses is important in determining cardiac activity, yet it is less effective than checking for breathing as an immediate first step in an unresponsive patient assessment. Performing CPR is vital when an unresponsive patient is not breathing, but it should be initiated only after confirming a lack of adequate breathing.

Thus, the most crucial first step focuses on assessing breathing to dictate the next course of action effectively.