Question

You have opened the airway of an unresponsive 47-year-old male. To assess for adequate breathing, what should you do?

a) Check for a pulse at the wrist
b) Listen for breath sounds
c) Administer chest compressions
d) Check for responsiveness again

Answer 1

After opening an unresponsive person's airway, listen for breath sounds to assess breathing before proceeding with other resuscitation steps.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess for adequate breathing in an unresponsive 47-year-old male after opening his airway, you should listen for breath sounds. This involves placing your ear close to the person's mouth and nose, looking towards their chest, and listening and feeling for airflow. You should also observe the chest for rises and falls that indicate breaths being taken. This step is crucial before deciding further actions such as administering chest compressions or checking for a pulse.