During BLS, which action is appropriate when a patient has a pulse but is not breathing?

• A. Provide rescue breaths at 1 every 6 seconds
• B. Begin chest compressions immediately
• C. Defibrillate
• D. Check for a pulse every 5 minutes

Answer: (A)

When someone has a pulse but isn’t breathing, the priority is to ventilate to keep oxygen moving to the lungs and bloodstream. In BLS, you provide rescue breaths at a rate of about one breath every 5 to 6 seconds, which is roughly 10 to 12 breaths per minute. This maintains oxygenation until the person can resume breathing or until advanced care arrives.

Chest compressions aren’t started here because compressions are reserved for situations with no pulse. Defibrillation isn’t appropriate because it’s used for shockable rhythms when there is no pulse. Checking the pulse every 5 minutes isn’t the immediate action; you monitor breathing and continuing ventilation while watching for changes in the patient’s condition.