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How to deliver mouth to mouth to an adult patient

Prepare for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on adult patients with the following equipment:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves, face mask, or shield with a one-way valve.

• First aid kit: CPR mask or face shield, antiseptic wipes, bandages.

Indications

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for adult patients is indicated in the following scenarios:

• Cardiac arrest: The patient is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping (agonal breathing).

• Drowning: Near-drowning incidents.

• Overdose: Suspected respiratory arrest due to drug overdose.

• Choking: After clearing the airway of an obstruction if the person is not breathing adequately.

Contraindications

Avoid performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on adult patients in these situations:

• Presence of a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order.

• Severe trauma: Significant head or facial trauma that may be exacerbated by the procedure.

• Contagious diseases: Known infectious diseases transmittable through bodily fluids.

• Blocked airway: Known or suspected complete airway obstruction that has not been cleared.

Complications

Be aware of potential complications when performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on adult patients:

• Vomiting and aspiration: Risk of the patient vomiting and aspirating contents into the lungs.

• Infection transmission: Risk of transmitting infectious diseases between rescuer and patient.

• Inadequate seal: Difficulty in creating a proper seal around the patient’s mouth, leading to ineffective ventilation.

• Gastric distention: Air entering the stomach instead of the lungs, causing distention and potential vomiting.

• Broken ribs or chest injuries: Potential to cause or exacerbate rib fractures or chest injuries, especially in fragile patients.

Aftercare

Follow these aftercare steps after performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on adult patients:

• Monitoring: Continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs until emergency services arrive.

• Recovery position: If the patient regains consciousness and starts breathing, place them in the recovery position.

• Medical evaluation: Ensure the patient is evaluated by medical professionals as soon as possible.

• Decontamination: Properly dispose of or sanitize any used equipment (e.g., face masks) and wash hands thoroughly.

• Documentation: Record the event, including the time of onset, interventions performed, and any changes in the patient’s condition.

• Emotional support: Provide emotional support to the patient and any bystanders or rescuers involved.