After 30 chest compressions, what should you check for in the patient's mouth?

Checking for the presence of an obstructing object in the patient's mouth after performing 30 chest compressions is critical in the context of a cardiac arrest situation or when a patient is unresponsive. If the patient is not breathing or has a blocked airway, the likelihood of successful rescue breaths or further resuscitative efforts decreases significantly. During the process of performing chest compressions, it is possible for foreign objects, vomit, or other obstructions to become lodged in the airway.

By assessing the mouth for any blockages, the rescuer can take appropriate action to remove the obstruction, thereby clearing the airway and allowing for effective rescue breathing if needed. This step is paramount to ensure that oxygen can flow to the lungs and, ultimately, to the brain and other vital organs, which is essential for the survival and recovery of the patient.

Other checks, such as assessing for breathing or signs of consciousness, are important but are not performed immediately after chest compressions. If the airway is blocked, even if the patient appears to have some signs of life, further attempts to ventilate would be futile without first clearing the obstruction. Therefore, identifying and removing any obstructing objects is a primary concern after the initial set of chest compressions.