JBL EMT Practice Exam

The best method to assess breathing in an unresponsive patient is to:

1. feel for nasal airflow

2. inspect for chest rise

3. look, listen, and feel

4. watch for abdominal motion

The correct answer is: feel for nasal airflow

To appropriately assess breathing in an unresponsive patient, it is important to prioritize interventions that provide quick and accurate information. Feeling for nasal airflow is the best option as it is a simple and quick method to assess ventilation in an unresponsive patient. Options B, C, and D may be difficult to accurately assess in an unresponsive patient and may delay necessary interventions. Additionally, relying solely on the visual inspection of chest rise, listening for breath sounds, or observing abdominal motion can be misleading, as there may be no actual air movement despite these signs. Therefore, feeling for nasal airflow is the most reliable and efficient method for assessing breathing in an unresponsive patient.