After airway patency has been confirmed, assessment and support of breathing follows.
As detailed in slide 2, assessment of breathing is done under a look, listen and feel approach. Oxygen saturation monitoring will also help assess the adequacy of respiration.
Markedly increased work of breathing, visibly altered respiratory mechanics, cyanosis and exhaustion all suggest respiratory failure and imminent respiratory collapse.
The breathing assessment will show that breathing is either
- Adequate
- Inadequate