You are called to an apartment complex by neighbors of an elderly patient with several…

You are called to an apartment complex by neighbors of an elderly patient with several cognitive deficits. The neighbors are worried about not having seen the patient today. The patient is usually on patrol in the complex and is a self-proclaimed neighborhood watch. On arrival you correctly position yourself to the side of the door, which is slightly ajar, knock loudly, and announce yourself as EMS. Your rookie partner asks, “Why you don’t just go in and have a look?” What should your response be? ”The patient has cognitive deficits and may be paranoid. I do not want to startle the patient and be seen as an intruder which may cause a violent encounter.” “Good idea! You go first.” “If the patient does not answer in the next few minutes, we can just leave.” “If the patient does not answer in the next few minutes, we will ask one of the neighbors to go and in and see what is wrong.”