What is the purpose of rescue breaths during CPR?

The purpose of rescue breaths during CPR is to provide oxygen to a patient who is not breathing. When a person suffers from cardiac arrest or severe respiratory issues, their body cannot receive adequate oxygen, which is crucial for sustaining life. During CPR, particularly in cases where the individual is unresponsive and not breathing, delivering rescue breaths helps to introduce oxygen directly into the lungs. This oxygen can then be absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing vital organs, especially the heart and brain, to receive some oxygenation while professional medical help is on the way. Administering rescue breaths can increase the chances of survival and minimize brain damage due to hypoxia.

In this context, other options do not accurately describe the function of rescue breaths. Circulating blood pertains more to chest compressions, clearing the airway is a separate action that may need to be performed before giving breaths, and stabilizing the heart rate is not a direct result of providing rescue breaths.