What is the first action to take when a patient has snoring respirations?

What is the first action to take when a patient has snoring respirations?

• A. Open the airway
• B. Perform chest compressions
• C. Provide rescue breaths only
• D. Shout for help

Answer: (A)

Snoring respirations indicate the airway is partially blocked by soft tissues, so the first priority is to open the airway and allow air to reach the lungs. Use a head-tilt/chin-lift to lift the tongue away from the airway; if neck injury is suspected, use a jaw-thrust instead. Once the airway is open, assess breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths if needed. Chest compressions aren’t started first because there is still some airflow with the airway open and the patient may still be breathing; compressions are for a pulseless, non-breathing patient. Shouting for help is important to get additional aid, but it doesn’t immediately relieve the obstruction the way opening the airway does.

Snoring respirations indicate the airway is partially blocked by soft tissues, so the first priority is to open the airway and allow air to reach the lungs. Use a head-tilt/chin-lift to lift the tongue away from the airway; if neck injury is suspected, use a jaw-thrust instead. Once the airway is open, assess breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths if needed. Chest compressions aren’t started first because there is still some airflow with the airway open and the patient may still be breathing; compressions are for a pulseless, non-breathing patient. Shouting for help is important to get additional aid, but it doesn’t immediately relieve the obstruction the way opening the airway does.