What is the next step if an adult patient becomes unresponsive while you are clearing an obstructed airway and you do not see the object?

When an adult patient becomes unresponsive while you are clearing an obstructed airway, the next step is to administer 2 ventilations. This is crucial because, in an unresponsive patient, the airway may not only be obstructed but the individual also may not be able to breathe spontaneously. By providing 2 breaths, you are attempting to introduce air into the lungs, which can help if the obstruction is not complete or allows for some air exchange.

Administering ventilations ensures that if the airway is partially obstructed, you are giving the patient some ventilation support. This can be critical in improving oxygenation and potentially allowing for the clearance of the obstruction, whether it might be aspirated or resolved by revisiting the airway.

In the context of advanced life support protocols, if the patient doesn’t respond, it signifies the urgency of addressing ventilation needs promptly, especially after checking for responsiveness and ensuring no airway obstruction can be visualized externally. Finding a proper airway and ensuring breath delivery can stabilize the patient while facilitating further interventions such as activating emergency services or resuming compressions if necessary.