In responding to a patient during CPR if the chest fails to rise after a rescue breath, what is the next appropriate action?

• A. Leave to get help
• B. Begin abdominal thrusts
• C. Perform a finger sweep of the patient's mouth
• D. Reattempt another ventilation

Answer: (B)

In the scenario of providing CPR where the chest does not rise after a rescue breath, it is critical to assess the situation quickly and effectively to ensure the patient's airway is open and that ventilation can be administered properly. The correct course of action is to reattempt another ventilation, which involves properly positioning the patient and ensuring the airway is clear.

If the chest fails to rise, it often indicates that there might be an obstruction in the airway. In this case, performing a finger sweep to remove any visible obstruction should be the next step, but it is also essential to reattempt ventilation to see if the breath can successfully enter the lungs this time. The technique focuses on checking the airway again, possibly repositioning the head or chin, and using the appropriate technique to deliver the rescue breath more effectively.

In this context, resorting to abdominal thrusts, which is a maneuver used primarily when addressing choking in a conscious person, is not appropriate during CPR when the patient is unresponsive. Leaving to get help is also not suitable at this critical moment since immediate action within the context of CPR is needed. Thus, the focus should remain on ensuring clear ventilation before any other intervention.