Which symptom should prompt you to be prepared to provide CPR?

Loss of consciousness is a critical symptom that should prompt immediate readiness to provide CPR. When a person loses consciousness, it indicates that their brain may not be receiving adequate oxygen-rich blood, which can be due to a cardiac event, respiratory failure, or other life-threatening conditions. This situation can rapidly deteriorate, leading to cardiac arrest, where the heart stops beating effectively, and the individual cannot breathe. Being prepared to provide CPR in this scenario is essential to restore circulation and oxygenation to vital organs and sustain life until advanced medical help arrives.

The other symptoms listed may indicate different medical issues but do not directly signify an immediate need for CPR. Difficulty remembering and severe headaches can arise from various causes, such as anxiety or migraine headaches, which typically do not necessitate CPR. Nausea also suggests a variety of conditions that are not necessarily life-threatening and do not indicate cardiac arrest or the need for immediate resuscitative efforts. Thus, loss of consciousness is the most alarming symptom that necessitates readiness for CPR.