What is the correct action to take if a patient appears to be breathing while you are performing CPR?

When a patient appears to be breathing during CPR, the appropriate action is to check for breathing and a pulse. This is essential because it allows you to assess the patient's condition accurately. Simply assuming they are breathing could lead to unnecessary or misdirected efforts, especially if the patient's breathing is ineffective or they actually have no pulse.

In situations like this, assessing the person's responsiveness and vital signs is vital. If the patient shows signs of true breathing and has a pulse, then the focus can shift to monitoring their condition while awaiting advanced help. It’s important not to interrupt CPR if the patient is in need of it; however, it’s equally critical to determine whether or not the patient is stable.

Continuing CPR without reassessing could potentially harm a patient who is starting to recover. Performing rescue breaths only would be inappropriate unless there is a clear indication that the patient requires ventilatory support without cardiac involvement. Checking the environment for safety, while important in emergency response, is not the immediate priority in assessing a patient's breathing status during CPR.