Which of the following is not a reliable way to assess consciousness?

• A. Asking "Are you okay?"
• B. Shouting to get a response
• C. Beginning chest compressions
• D. Checking for a response by touching the shoulder

Answer: (C)

Checking consciousness is about seeing if the person can respond to a stimulus. Verbal prompts like “Are you okay?” test whether they can hear and understand you, which is a direct sign of awareness. A shout to elicit a response is another quick stimulus you can use, especially if the person is waking or can hear you in a noisy environment. A gentle touch on the shoulder checks for any physical response to stimulation, indicating they’re not completely unresponsive.

Beginning chest compressions, on the other hand, is an emergency treatment, not a test of awareness. It’s started when the person is unresponsive and not breathing or has no pulse. It doesn’t tell you whether the person is conscious, and using it as a test would mask their actual level of responsiveness. So, the option that starts chest compressions is not a reliable way to assess consciousness.