What action should be taken if breathing is inadequate during the primary survey?

When assessing an individual's breathing during the primary survey, recognizing inadequate breathing is critical for effective patient care. In such situations, the immediate priority is to address the deficiency in the patient's respiration. Initiating ventilation or providing ventilatory assistance directly targets the underlying problem—insufficient oxygen exchange. This intervention ensures that the patient receives adequate air flow to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood and prevent potential complications associated with hypoxia.

While monitoring vital signs and providing supplemental oxygen are important aspects of patient care, they do not directly resolve the immediate concern of inadequate breathing. Monitoring vital signs can help track the patient's condition but does not intervene in the ongoing issue. Similarly, supplemental oxygen may be useful for patients with adequate breathing who require additional support, but it does not substitute for proper ventilation in cases where the patient is unable to breathe effectively on their own. Performing chest compressions is indicated in specific scenarios, such as cardiac arrest, but is not appropriate for addressing inadequate breathing alone, which is a separate critical issue that requires immediate action to ensure the patient's survival and wellbeing.