After securing an open airway in an unconscious adult, the EMR should ________.

After securing an open airway in an unconscious adult, the next appropriate step is to look, listen, and feel for breathing. This step is crucial in assessing the patient's respiratory status. The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether the patient is breathing adequately on their own or if they require assisted ventilation.

Conducting this assessment allows the EMR to gather important information about the patient's condition. If the patient is breathing normally, the EMR can monitor them and be prepared to intervene if their status changes. If there is no effective breathing, it indicates the need for immediate intervention, such as providing ventilations.

Assessing for breathing involves checking for chest rise and fall, listening for air movement, and feeling for breath on the cheek. This quick evaluation is vital in emergency care, as it guides the EMR’s next actions and ultimately impacts the patient's outcome.