YMCA CPR Training Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

Effective rescue breaths can be identified primarily by observing whether the chest rises visibly with each breath you deliver. This is an important indicator that air is entering the lungs and effective ventilation is occurring. When the chest rises, it signifies that the rescuer is properly sealing the airway and providing adequate breaths, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to the body, especially in situations of respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.

The other options do provide indications of certain responses or conditions but are not definitive measures of the efficacy of rescue breaths. For example, while a person coughing may indicate some level of airway reflex or movement, it does not confirm that effective breaths have been delivered. Similarly, while a victim showing signs of movement could signify some level of responsiveness, it is not a direct measure of whether rescue breaths are effective. Lastly, a lack of response from the victim suggests a serious situation but again does not indicate whether the breaths are being administered effectively. The rise of the chest, thus, remains the clearest indicator of effective rescue breathing.