Question

An adult patient is unresponsive. You have opened their airway and are simultaneously checking for breathing and a pulse. To check for normal breathing, which actions are appropriate to do?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Take a close look to see if the patient's chest is rising and falling

2. Listen closely with your ear over his/her mouth and nose for breathing sounds

3. Feel the patient's breath against your cheek for 10 seconds

Explanation:

According to basic first aid, three ways to check if a person is still breathing are:

1. Take a close look to see if the patient's chest is rising and falling: The rising and falling of the chest is due to the partially involuntary movement of the diaphragm muscles. The diaphragm pulls down the base of the lungs, increasing the volume of the lungs, and decreasing the pressure inside the lung. This draws in air into the lung under atmospheric pressure. The reverse action forces air out of the lung.

2. Listen closely with your ear over his/her mouth and nose for breathing sounds:  The characteristic 'whezzing' sound made when breathing, through the mouth or nose should be listened for.

3. Feel the patient's breath against your cheek for 10 seconds: The process of breathing will lead to the expulsion of air and moisture from the respiratory channels. Feeling for these, against your cheek will indicate if the patient is breathing or not.