After opening the airway of an unresponsive patient with slow, shallow respirations, what is the next step?

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Opening the airway is followed by a quick check of the mouth for anything that could be blocking airflow. In an unresponsive patient with slow, shallow respirations, a partial or complete airway obstruction is a common culprit. Look for secretions, vomiting, a foreign body, or loose dentures, and remove or clear them as needed to restore a patent airway. Clearing obstructions first is essential because ventilation won’t be effective if air can’t reach the lungs. If the mouth check reveals no obstruction, you then move on to providing assisted ventilation. Filling the airway with oxygen via a nonrebreather won’t address an obstruction or adequately ventilate an unresponsive patient who isn’t breathing well. Checking the pulse is important, but it doesn’t directly improve ventilation in this moment like ensuring the airway is clear does.