What is a method used to determine if a patient is breathing?

The method of looking, listening, and feeling for breathing is effective because it allows the responder to assess the patient’s respiratory status in a systematic way. By looking, the responder can observe the rise and fall of the chest. Listening closely can help identify breathing sounds such as wheezing or stridor, which can indicate distress. Feeling for breath can be done by placing a hand near the person's mouth and nose to detect airflow. This comprehensive approach ensures a clear assessment of whether the patient is breathing adequately.

In contrast, while asking the patient to talk may provide clues about their condition, it is not a reliable method for assessing breathing, especially if the patient is unresponsive. Checking for a pulse is crucial in assessing circulation but does not provide information about the respiratory function directly. Monitoring skin color could indicate oxygenation levels but is not a definitive or immediate measure of breath presence. Thus, the combination of observing, listening, and feeling establishes the most effective method for determining if a patient is breathing.