Agonal respirations indicate that CPR should be started immediately because they do not represent effective breathing.

Agonal respirations indicate that CPR should be started immediately because they do not represent effective breathing.

• A. The patient is breathing normally
• B. The patient is in no distress
• C. Agonal respirations do not indicate breathing and CPR should start immediately
• D. The patient is conscious

Answer: (C)

Agonal respirations are not true, effective breaths. They may be gasping attempts that can occur during cardiac arrest, but they do not provide enough air or oxygen to sustain circulation. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, the priority is to start CPR immediately to maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery. Hearing occasional gasps does not mean the person is breathing adequately, so delaying CPR in hopes of normal breathing would reduce the chance of survival. The key takeaway is that agonal respirations signal a life-threatening emergency and require prompt chest compressions (and rescue breaths if you’re trained).

Agonal respirations are not true, effective breaths. They may be gasping attempts that can occur during cardiac arrest, but they do not provide enough air or oxygen to sustain circulation. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, the priority is to start CPR immediately to maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery. Hearing occasional gasps does not mean the person is breathing adequately, so delaying CPR in hopes of normal breathing would reduce the chance of survival. The key takeaway is that agonal respirations signal a life-threatening emergency and require prompt chest compressions (and rescue breaths if you’re trained).