When assessing an unresponsive adult patient, which actions are appropriate to check for breathing?

To check for breathing in an unresponsive adult patient, listening for escaping air is important because it helps determine if the patient is experiencing any airflow, which signifies that they are breathing, albeit unconsciously. This action allows the rescuer to verify if breaths are being taken without having to engage in more invasive procedures, which might cause further harm if the patient is indeed breathing.

In assessing breathing, other actions are also relevant but may not be as effective as listening for air. For example, looking in the mouth for obstructions can be helpful, yet it does not confirm the presence of breathing. Feeling for breath against the hand on the chest can help assess air movement, but it can be subjective and might not reliably indicate active breathing. Observing for chest rise and fall is a visual indication of breathing as well, yet this can also be difficult to determine if the chest movement is subtle or if the patient's condition doesn't allow for visible rise.

Listening for escaping air provides direct information about the respiratory status and potentially signifies airway patency, which is crucial in the emergency response sequence.