Next step for opening unresponsive pt with slow and shallow respirations?

• A. Check mouth for secretions
• B. Foreign body obstruction
• C. Insert Oropharyngeal Airway
• D. Assess Capnography

Answer: (A)

The main action is to clear the airway by quickly checking the mouth for secretions or any visible obstruction and removing it if possible. When an unresponsive patient has slow, shallow respirations, secretions or vomitus can block airflow. Clearing the mouth and suctioning as needed opens the airway right away and improves ventilation. Only after the airway is clear should you move on to other steps like suctioning deeper or placing an airway device, since you can’t ventilate effectively until obstruction is removed. Capnography helps confirm ventilation, but it doesn’t fix a blockage, and inserting an oropharyngeal airway without first ensuring the airway is clear could hinder rather than help.