If the airway of a patient is obstructed, what should be checked before giving breaths?

When dealing with an obstructed airway, checking for the object and removing it if it is seen is the correct first step. This approach aligns with the principles of airway management in emergency situations. If an obstruction is visible and can be safely removed, doing so can quickly alleviate the blockage and restore normal breathing.

In cases where the airway is compromised, immediate action is essential. By checking the airway, you have the opportunity to clear it before performing further interventions like rescue breaths. This is crucial in preventing further complications and ensuring that the patient can breathe on their own, as providing breaths without clearing the obstruction first may lead to ineffective ventilation.

The other options may not adequately address the immediate concern of airway obstruction. For instance, continuing with CPR without checking the airway doesn’t resolve the obstruction and could be insufficient if the patient’s ability to breathe is not restored. Administering back blows could be appropriate in certain situations, but it’s typically done if the obstruction cannot be visibly removed and may not be the immediate action to take if the object is visible. Waiting for emergency personnel to arrive does not take advantage of the critical time where immediate intervention could save the patient’s life. Therefore, assessing and removing a visible obstruction is the most effective and appropriate initial action.