A 60-year-old female is found unresponsive, cyanotic, and making a snoring sound. You should:

In this scenario, the priority is to address the immediate airway problem that the patient is facing. The individual is unresponsive and exhibiting signs of airway obstruction, as indicated by the cyanosis and the snoring sound. The snoring sound typically suggests that the tongue may be blocking the airway, which is a common issue in unresponsive patients.

Manually opening the airway through techniques such as the head-tilt-chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver is crucial to ensure that air can pass into the lungs, thus restoring oxygen flow and preventing further complications from hypoxia. By opening the airway first, you create the best opportunity for the patient to receive sufficient oxygen and begin assessing her breathing or providing rescue breaths if necessary.

In emergency situations, establishing and maintaining a patent airway takes precedence; only after ensuring that the airway is clear should other interventions, like chest compressions or CPR, be considered.