What is the primary goal of rescue breathing during CPR?

The primary goal of rescue breathing during CPR is to provide oxygen to the victim. When a person suffers from a cardiac arrest or respiratory distress, their body is deprived of oxygen, which is critical for sustaining life. Rescue breathing is intended to deliver air, and thus oxygen, into the lungs of the patient, which can help maintain oxygenation of vital organs until more advanced medical help arrives or until normal breathing is restored.

This process is especially important when the individual is unconscious and unable to breathe on their own. By delivering breaths manually, the rescuer can help ensure that oxygen continues to circulate throughout the body, preventing brain damage and other complications caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation.

Other choices do relate to important aspects of CPR but do not represent the primary goal of rescue breathing. Restoring circulation focuses on heart function, which is addressed through chest compressions rather than breathing. Preventing choking is not a direct goal of rescue breathing, as its aim is to provide ventilation rather than to clear obstructions. Stabilizing the spine is situationally relevant during CPR, particularly in trauma cases, but it does not pertain to the function of rescue breathing.