What action is appropriate if an unresponsive adult is making gurgling sounds?

When an unresponsive adult is making gurgling sounds, it typically indicates that there is fluid or a blockage in the airway, which can impede normal breathing. In such a scenario, initiating high-quality CPR is the most appropriate course of action. This is because the gurgling sounds suggest the person may not have adequate airway clearance and is potentially in a life-threatening situation, such as cardiac arrest.

Starting CPR can help restore circulation and improve the chances of survival until emergency medical services arrive. During CPR, compressions will help maintain blood flow to vital organs, while also providing an opportunity to clear the airway later on, either during rescue breaths or when the patient is repositioned.

In contrast, administering rescue breaths doesn't effectively address the immediate problem of the potential airway obstruction represented by gurgling sounds, and merely checking for a pulse would delay necessary interventions without addressing the critical issues at hand. Positioning the patient on their side may assist in allowing fluid drainage, but this action does not replace the need for immediate CPR in a situation where the patient is unresponsive.