An unresponsive apneic patient's chest fails to rise after two ventilation attempts. What should you do?

In the scenario where an unresponsive apneic patient’s chest does not rise after two ventilation attempts, the appropriate action is to reposition the head and reattempt to ventilate.

When a patient's chest does not rise during ventilation attempts, it often indicates that there may be an obstruction in the airway or that the positioning of the head may not be optimal for proper airway management. The most common issue in such cases is inadequate positioning that prevents air from entering the lungs effectively. By repositioning the head—typically by performing the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver or the jaw-thrust maneuver if spinal injury is suspected—you can help open the airway more effectively and potentially restore the ability to ventilate the patient properly.

Beginning chest compressions immediately would not address the ventilation problem and might delay necessary attempts to establish effective airway management. Suctioning could be needed if there is visible obstruction, but the immediate step should be to ensure proper positioning first. Lastly, simply increasing the volume of air delivered might not resolve the underlying issue of airway obstruction or improper positioning, which is why analyzing the situation and adjusting accordingly is key to effective resuscitation practices.