An unconscious patient found in a prone position must be placed in a supine position in case he or she:

• A. Requires CPR.
• B. Has increased tidal volume.
• C. Regains consciousness.
• D. Begins to vomit.

Answer: (A)

When someone is unconscious, you must be ready to deliver CPR if they go into cardiac arrest, and CPR is performed by compressing the chest in the supine position. The prone position makes it hard to access the chest, place defibrillator pads, and provide effective chest compressions or airway management. Repositioning to supine ensures you can start high-quality CPR promptly if needed, which is essential for maintaining circulation and survival.

Vomiting and airway protection are concerns in an unconscious patient, but they don’t mandate staying in or returning to a prone position for CPR. Regaining consciousness would change your immediate actions away from CPR, and increased tidal volume isn’t the trigger for repositioning in this scenario.