Difference between unconscious and unresponsive?

Question

I'm taking an EMT-E class and we got on a discussion of the difference between being unconscious and unresponsive. Our teacher asked what the difference was and no one could answer, nor find it in our textbook. I guess it's one of those things that you never realize that you don't know until specifically asked...lol. So anyone out there that can give me a good answer...one that makes sense:) THANKS!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Tell David that I can't find it either :)

knaus · Answer

Unresponsive To Stimuli

B · Answer

If you are unconscious you are also unresponsive but it's due to a dramatic alteration of your mental state. 

If you are unresponsive you are simply not responding to outside stimuli and it could be to due to a number of different reasons that may not involve consciousness.

So unresponsiveness is a symptom of being unconscious but not the cause; however, unresponsiveness can be a symptom of many things either mental or physical.

Bill · Answer

You can not be breathing and still be alive.
Death takes several minutes of not breathing.

Unconcious means they're basically sleeping, but often its more severe than that.

Unresponsive means they're awake, but not reacting to stimulus.

jordan · Answer

unconscious-- not breathing so no repsonse 
unresponsive- breathing but not able to talk or make a response

Anonymous · Answer

unconscious = alive, not responding, or not awake
unresponsive = dead, maybe alive, sleeping, or annoyed

Anonymous · Answer

17 YEAR OLD KID NAMED JORDAN...NOT BREATHING WOULD BE DEAD NOT UNCONSCIOUS

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Difference between unconscious and unresponsive?

7 Answers