Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

When ventilating an apneic adult patient with a bag-mask device and 100% oxygen, you should:

1. Deliver forceful breaths to ensure airway patency

2. Provide just enough volume to produce visible chest rise

3. Ventilate at a rate of 30 breaths per minute

4. Manipulate the jaw for better access

The correct answer is: Provide just enough volume to produce visible chest rise

When ventilating an apneic adult patient using a bag-mask device with 100% oxygen, the goal is to ensure effective ventilation while minimizing the risk of complications. Providing just enough volume to produce visible chest rise is the optimal approach because it confirms that air is entering the lungs and that the ventilations are adequate. This technique reduces the likelihood of overinflating the lungs, which can lead to barotrauma, hypotension, or stomach distension. Ensuring visible chest expansion is a vital indicator that effective ventilation is occurring. If the chest rises adequately, it typically means that the airway is patent and the breaths are being delivered correctly. Additionally, using a gentle technique decreases patient discomfort and helps maintain positive airway pressure without causing damage to the tissues. In contrast, delivering forceful breaths can be harmful and may lead to complications, while ventilating at a very high rate does not allow for adequate oxygenation or CO2 exchange. Manipulating the jaw can certainly be beneficial in securing the airway, but the priority during the actual ventilation process should be focused on sufficient tidal volume and appropriate timing of breaths.