NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamAirway, Respiration & VentilationMedium
A 40-year-old male is breathing 4 times per minute after a head injury. His pulse is 90 bpm and strong. What is the most appropriate ventilatory rate for this patient using a bag-valve mask?
- A20-24 breaths per minute.
- B10-12 breaths per minute.
- C8-10 breaths per minute.
- D16-20 breaths per minute.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 10-12 breaths per minute.
For an adult patient with inadequate breathing and a pulse, the recommended ventilatory rate with a bag-valve mask is 10-12 breaths per minute (1 breath every 5-6 seconds). This rate is sufficient to provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation without causing hyperventilation, which can be detrimental in head injury patients.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 20-24 breaths per minute is excessively fast and would cause severe hyperventilation.
- C. 8-10 breaths per minute is generally too slow for an adult with inadequate breathing.
- D. 16-20 breaths per minute is too fast and can lead to hyperventilation, which increases intrathoracic pressure and reduces cerebral perfusion in head injury patients.
Adult BVM Ventilation Rate
The appropriate frequency of positive pressure ventilations delivered to an adult patient with inadequate breathing but a pulse, using a bag-valve mask.
- Recommended rate is 10-12 breaths per minute (1 breath every 5-6 seconds).
- Excessive ventilation (rate or volume) can be harmful, especially in head injuries.
- Aim for visible chest rise with each breath.
Memory trick: Slow and steady wins the oxygen race, especially for the head-injured space.