During an attempt to ventilate an apneic patient, her chest does not rise. What should you do next?

In a situation where an apneic patient's chest does not rise during ventilation attempts, the most appropriate next step is to reposition the airway and ventilate. Repositioning the airway is crucial because improper positioning can result in an obstructed airway, preventing effective ventilation.

In many cases, especially when using a bag-valve mask, the head may need to be tilted back slightly or the chin lifted to create a better alignment of the airway. This maneuver can help to open the airway and allow for better ventilation. After repositioning, attempting to ventilate again generally leads to improved chest rise, indicating that air is effectively reaching the lungs.

While increasing the pressure of the bag-valve mask may seem like a possible solution, it doesn't address potential airway obstructions that could be causing the issue. Waiting and trying again without repositioning might waste valuable time. Administering naloxone is only indicated if there is a suspected opioid overdose and does not address the immediate need to ventilate the patient.