What is the primary goal when giving ventilations to a patient?

The primary goal when giving ventilations to a patient is to achieve visible chest rise. This indicates that the air being delivered is reaching the lungs effectively. When a provider delivers adequate ventilations, the chest will rise and fall, showing that oxygen is entering the airway and the lungs are expanding. Achieving this visible chest rise is crucial for ensuring that the patient receives proper oxygenation, which is essential during resuscitation efforts or in cases of respiratory distress.

While other options might seem relevant in some contexts, they do not reflect the fundamental aim of ventilations. Inflating the stomach may occur if air is inadvertently pushed into the stomach instead of the lungs, which can lead to complications like regurgitation. Building up pressure in the throat does not directly assist in delivering effective ventilations. Providing comfort to the patient is important in a broader sense but does not address the primary physiological goal of ensuring that air reaches the lungs adequately.