NBCSN Nationally Certified School Nurse Practice Exam

What should be done every two minutes if a victim has a pulse but is not breathing?

1. Give breaths and check pulse

2. Perform chest compressions

3. Use an oxygen mask

4. Prepare for transport

The correct answer is: Give breaths and check pulse

When a victim has a pulse but is not breathing, the primary focus should be on providing adequate ventilation. This is crucial because the person needs oxygen to sustain life, and without breathing, the body cannot effectively deliver oxygen to vital organs. Therefore, giving breaths at a rate of every two minutes helps to ensure that oxygen is getting into the lungs and thus into the bloodstream, supporting the three essential systems of circulation, respiration, and neurologic function. Checking the pulse after delivering breaths is also important to confirm that the pulse is still present and to reassess the situation continually. This approach aims to improve the victim's condition by providing necessary ventilation while monitoring for changes in their status. In contrast to performing chest compressions, which would be the appropriate response if there were no pulse, or using an oxygen mask, which may not provide sufficient ventilation on its own without active breaths, providing breaths directly addresses the immediate need for oxygenation in a victim who maintains a pulse. Preparing for transport is not a primary intervention when the individual is still alive; the focus should remain on providing supportive measures until professional emergency care can be administered.