What does "rescue breathing" entail in emergency care?

Rescue breathing is a critical component of emergency care used specifically for patients who are not breathing on their own. It involves providing breaths to a non-breathing patient in an effort to deliver oxygen to their lungs, thereby ensuring that vital organs receive the necessary oxygen supply to function. This technique helps to maintain oxygenation until advanced medical help is available or until the patient begins to breathe independently.

It is essential in situations such as cardiac arrest or drowning, where the patient has stopped breathing. The goal of rescue breathing is twofold: to establish a patent airway and to deliver breaths effectively, typically through mouth-to-mouth technique or a bag-valve-mask if available.

Other choices do not accurately describe rescue breathing. While performing chest compressions is a crucial part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), it specifically addresses cardiac function rather than ventilation. Changing a patient’s position may be necessary in certain situations but does not involve providing breaths. Administering oxygen via a mask can support a patient’s breathing but does not equate to performing rescue breathing, as it assumes the patient is still able to breathe on their own to some extent.