To assess for normal breathing in an unresponsive patient, which methods should you use?

To assess for normal breathing in an unresponsive patient, the recommended approach is to look, feel, and listen for breathing. This method involves visually observing the chest for rise and fall, feeling for airflow by placing your cheek near the patient's mouth, and listening for breath sounds. This comprehensive technique allows you to ascertain not just the presence of breathing, but also its effectiveness.

Looking for chest movement helps you determine whether the patient is making any attempt to breathe. Feeling for breath can confirm if there is adequate airflow, and listening allows you to check if the breaths are normal in sound and rhythm. This method is the most direct way to assess respiratory function quickly in emergency situations.

While checking the color of the patient's skin may provide some information about their oxygenation status, it does not specifically assess breathing. Assessing alertness pertains to neurological function rather than respiratory assessment, and taking the patient's blood pressure is unrelated to immediate breathing evaluation. Hence, the method of looking, feeling, and listening is the most appropriate and effective approach for confirming normal breathing in an unresponsive individual.