When providing rescue breaths to an unresponsive patient with a pulse, what is the recommended rate?

The recommended rate for providing rescue breaths to an unresponsive patient who has a pulse is one breath every 6 seconds. This rate is part of the guidelines for ensuring adequate ventilation while allowing sufficient time between breaths for the patient's lungs to expand and oxygenate. The objective is to supply oxygen effectively without causing hyperventilation, which could lead to complications such as decreased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, potentially compromising the patient’s condition.

This approach aligns with the principle of delivering breaths slowly and consistently to maintain a stable oxygen and carbon dioxide balance, making it crucial when the patient is unresponsive but maintains a pulse. Therefore, delivering the breaths at a rate of one every 6 seconds ensures both effective ventilation and adherence to best practices in resuscitation care.