Effective breaths during CPR are confirmed by which observation?

The observation that confirms effective breaths during CPR is the rise of the chest with each breath administered. This visual cue indicates that air is being properly introduced into the lungs, allowing for oxygen exchange. When the chest rises, it demonstrates that the correct volume of air is being delivered to the person's airway. This is crucial during CPR, as ensuring adequate ventilation is essential for maintaining oxygen supply to vital organs until advanced medical help arrives.

Coughing and waking up, while they might indicate some level of responsiveness or airway patency, are not reliable indicators of effective breaths in the context of CPR. Similarly, simply hearing breath sounds can be misleading in an emergency situation, as they might not necessarily reflect effective ventilation. Thus, the rise of the chest serves as the most definitive sign of successful breaths during CPR.