How do you recognize respiratory arrest in a patient?

Recognizing respiratory arrest in a patient involves observing the absence of spontaneous breathing. When a patient is not breathing at all, yet still has a pulse, it indicates that their heart is still functioning, but they are unable to oxygenate. This is critically important because the absence of breathing can lead to rapid deterioration and even death if not addressed promptly.

In contrast, irregular breathing or gasping does not indicate respiratory arrest; these are signs of inadequate breathing and may point to an airway obstruction or other medical emergency but do not equate to a complete cessation of respiration. Normal breathing suggests that the patient is not in respiratory arrest. Therefore, the clear identification of a patient who is not breathing, while still having a pulse, is crucial for determining the need for emergency interventions such as rescue breaths or advanced airway management.