What should be assessed before deciding to cease resuscitation?

Assessing signs of life is critical before deciding to cease resuscitation efforts. This includes evaluating for any observable signs that suggest the patient may be alive or capable of regaining spontaneous circulation. Signs of life can encompass a variety of indicators such as breathing, movement, and pupil reaction to light. Notably, the pupil response is a neurological indicator which can give insight into the patient's cerebral function. If there are no signs of life, it is more appropriate to consider ceasing resuscitation, as the likelihood of successful revival diminishes significantly without these indicators.

The other options, while they may hold some relevance in the broader context of patient care, do not directly inform the decision to continue or cease resuscitation. For instance, the presence of family might affect emotional decisions regarding resuscitation but does not provide clinical data on the patient's condition. Similarly, symptoms of pain may not be applicable in the context of a patient who is unconscious and not demonstrating signs of life. Duration of patient unconsciousness can indicate severity but alone does not offer concrete evidence of the patient’s potential for recovery. Thus, the assessment of signs of life remains the fundamental criterion in making such a critical decision.