After opening the airway, what should you check for within 10 seconds?

After opening the airway, what should you check for within 10 seconds?

• A. Breathing and a pulse
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Skin temperature
• D. Movement of limbs

Answer: (B)

After opening the airway, you perform a quick 10-second check for breathing and a pulse. This short assessment tells you whether the person is breathing and whether there is a pulse to drive the next steps. You look, listen, and feel for breathing, while also checking for a pulse at the carotid (for adults and older children) or brachial (for infants). If a pulse is present but breathing is absent or inadequate, you give rescue breaths. If there is no pulse, you start CPR immediately. Blood pressure, skin temperature, or movement of limbs aren’t used in this immediate check and don’t guide the first actions.

After opening the airway, you perform a quick 10-second check for breathing and a pulse. This short assessment tells you whether the person is breathing and whether there is a pulse to drive the next steps. You look, listen, and feel for breathing, while also checking for a pulse at the carotid (for adults and older children) or brachial (for infants). If a pulse is present but breathing is absent or inadequate, you give rescue breaths. If there is no pulse, you start CPR immediately. Blood pressure, skin temperature, or movement of limbs aren’t used in this immediate check and don’t guide the first actions.