Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

What should you attempt next if an adult patient becomes unresponsive while clearing their obstructed airway and no object is visible in their mouth?

1. Give 2 ventilations

2. Perform a finger sweep

3. Start chest compressions again

4. Check for responsiveness

The correct answer is: Give 2 ventilations

If an adult patient becomes unresponsive while you are addressing an obstructed airway and no object is visible in their mouth, the appropriate next step is to provide 2 ventilations. This action is crucial because it is essential to attempt to deliver breath to the lungs; a lack of responsiveness indicates that breathing is compromised. The goal in this situation is to re-establish oxygenation in the body. Following the delivery of ventilations, if the airway remains obstructed and the patient does not respond to rescue breaths, you would then need to reassess the situation, which might include resuming chest compressions and repositioning the airway as needed. However, when the primary issue is unresponsiveness with a clear inability to breathe, delivering 2 ventilations is a logical and necessary step as it directly addresses the issue of insufficient air supply. Therefore, in the context of Basic Life Support, the focus on securing the airway and trying to breathe for the patient is the most immediate and appropriate response.