Which of the following describes 'rescue breaths'?

Rescue breaths refer specifically to the practice of providing breaths to a patient who is not breathing adequately or at all, particularly in situations of respiratory failure, such as during cardiac arrest. This intervention aims to deliver oxygen to the lungs when the patient's own breathing has ceased or is ineffective, thereby helping to maintain adequate oxygenation of vital organs until further medical assistance can be provided or until the heart is restarted.

In the context of emergency care, performing rescue breaths is a critical skill used alongside chest compressions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). During cardiac arrest, blood circulation ceases, leading to a lack of oxygen supply to the body, necessitating immediate intervention through rescue breaths.

The other options do not accurately capture the specific function of rescue breaths. For instance, measuring respiratory effectiveness typically involves assessing breathing patterns and chest movement rather than administering breaths. Similarly, while breaths can indeed be provided via a mask in some scenarios, such as with positive pressure ventilation, this does not exclusively define the term "rescue breaths." Finally, monitoring oxygen saturation involves using devices like pulse oximeters and does not pertain directly to the act of providing breaths.