What is the function of rescue breaths during CPR?

Rescue breaths during CPR play a crucial role in ensuring that the patient receives an adequate supply of oxygen, which is essential for maintaining cellular function and preventing further injury to the brain and other vital organs. When a person suffers from cardiac arrest and is not breathing, the body's tissues are deprived of oxygen. By delivering rescue breaths, the rescuer provides fresh oxygen directly into the lungs, facilitating gas exchange and allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream. This is especially important in cases of respiratory arrest or when traditional chest compressions alone may not be sufficient to maintain adequate oxygenation.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary purpose of rescue breaths: stimulating the heart is typically managed through chest compressions and electrical interventions, alleviating choking focuses on removing obstructions from the airway, and inducing coughing does not relate to the emergency response procedure for someone who has stopped breathing. Thus, the provision of oxygen through rescue breaths is a vital intervention in the CPR process.