What is the appropriate first action for an unresponsive 94-year-old female with a pulse but no observable chest rise?

In this scenario, the appropriate first action for an unresponsive 94-year-old female who has a pulse but no observable chest rise is to ventilate her with a bag-valve-mask (BVM). This is essential because the absence of chest rise indicates that the patient is not effectively breathing on her own despite having a pulse.

The primary goal in this situation is to ensure that adequate ventilation is provided to deliver oxygen to the lungs and prevent hypoxia. Using a BVM allows for the delivery of positive pressure ventilation, which can help inflate the lungs and enable gas exchange. It’s critical to establish a patent airway as well, but in the context of no observable chest rise, immediate ventilation is the priority.

Assessing the blood glucose level or vital signs, while important in an overall assessment of the patient's condition, does not address the immediate need for ventilation. These assessments can take place after ensuring that the patient is receiving proper ventilatory support. Administering oxygen by non-rebreather mask would not be effective either, as this method depends on the patient being able to breathe adequately on their own, which is not the case here. Therefore, initiating ventilation with a BVM is the correct and most urgent action necessary to stabilize the patient.