What is crucial to remember about CPR in relation to the patient’s airway?

Ensuring a patent airway is vital for effective ventilation during CPR because the primary goal of CPR is to restore oxygenation and circulation to the patient. When a person experiences cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood, which means that oxygen-rich blood is not reaching vital organs, including the brain. If the airway is obstructed or not properly managed, even effective chest compressions will not be able to deliver oxygen to the lungs, significantly reducing the chances of survival.

In the context of CPR, the rescuer should prioritize establishing and maintaining an open airway through proper techniques such as the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver or the jaw-thrust maneuver if spinal injury is suspected. By ensuring that the airway is open, the rescuer facilitates the delivery of breaths, making it possible to provide adequate ventilation and preserve vital functions until advanced medical care can take over.

Other options, while addressing important aspects of CPR, do not emphasize the critical nature of airway management in relation to effective ventilation during the resuscitation process.