Question

After an adult cardiac arrest patient has been intubated by a paramedic, you are providing ventilations as your partner performs chest compressions. When ventilating the patient, you should _________.

1) Provide ventilations at a rate of 10 breaths per minute
2) Provide ventilations at a rate of 20 breaths per minute
3) Provide ventilations at a rate of 30 breaths per minute
4) Provide ventilations at a rate of 40 breaths per minute

Answer 1

For an intubated adult cardiac arrest patient, provide ventilations at a rate of 10 breaths per minute while chest compressions are done continuously at 100 compressions per minute.

Step-by-step explanation:

When ventilating an intubated adult cardiac arrest patient, it is recommended to provide ventilations at a rate of 10 breaths per minute. This rate is chosen to ensure adequate oxygen delivery while minimizing the risk of hyperventilation which can decrease cardiac output and the effectiveness of chest compressions. In advanced cardiac life support, maintaining a proper ventilation rate is crucial for patient outcomes. It is also important to note that after intubation, continuous chest compressions should be provided at a rate of 100 compressions per minute without pausing for ventilations, with the ventilations being interposed at the specified rate of 10 breaths per minute.