Which immediate intervention is required for a patient who is unresponsive with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3?

When a patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3, it indicates a deep state of unresponsiveness, typically associated with severe brain injury or life-threatening conditions. In such cases, the highest priority is ensuring that the airway is secure to prevent respiratory failure.

Endotracheal intubation is critical because it provides a direct pathway for ventilation, ensuring that the patient can receive adequate oxygenation. This intervention is vital in preventing hypoxia, which can lead to further neurological damage and possible death if not addressed promptly. Thus, intubation is the immediate respiratory intervention necessary for anyone who is completely unresponsive and unable to maintain their airway.

While administering oxygen and starting intravenous fluids are important components of managing a critically ill patient, they do not address the most urgent concern of keeping the airway patent in an unresponsive individual. Requesting a CT scan, although important for diagnosing underlying conditions, is not an immediate intervention and would be inappropriate before stabilizing the patient's airway.