Check the carotid pulse and if present, ______.

Check the carotid pulse and if present, ______.

• A. Stop CPR
• B. Start chest compressions
• C. Continue rescue breathing (10-12 breaths/minute)
• D. Ventilate with a bag-valve mask

Answer: (C)

When you find a carotid pulse present but the person isn’t breathing adequately, the priority is to provide oxygenation rather than chest compressions. The correct action is to give rescue breaths at about 10–12 per minute (roughly one breath every 5–6 seconds) and monitor for chest rise. If you’re trained and have a bag-valve mask, you can use it to deliver those breaths, but the key idea is continuing ventilation, not initiating chest compressions, while the pulse remains. Continue until the person resumes normal breathing or help arrives.

When you find a carotid pulse present but the person isn’t breathing adequately, the priority is to provide oxygenation rather than chest compressions. The correct action is to give rescue breaths at about 10–12 per minute (roughly one breath every 5–6 seconds) and monitor for chest rise. If you’re trained and have a bag-valve mask, you can use it to deliver those breaths, but the key idea is continuing ventilation, not initiating chest compressions, while the pulse remains. Continue until the person resumes normal breathing or help arrives.