Final answer:
When an advanced airway is in place during CPR, chest compressions are continuous and are not interrupted for breaths, with health providers focusing on delivering 10 breaths per minute, regardless of the age group.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an advanced airway is in place, such as an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask, the need for frequent interruptions in chest compressions for ventilation is reduced. CPR with an advanced airway shifts to a continuous chest compression paradigm. The ratio of compressions to breaths, typically 30:2 for lay rescuers performing CPR, is modified for healthcare providers. The focus becomes delivering a set number of breaths per minute, usually 10 breaths per minute, while chest compressions are performed continuously at a rate of at least 100 to 120 per minute, regardless of the age of the patient.
This change takes into account the natural decrease in respiratory rate from infancy to adulthood. While the normal respiratory rate for a child under 1 year old ranges between 30 and 60 breaths per minute, by around the age of 10, it decreases to about 18 to 30, finally settling to an adult rate of 12 to 18 breaths per minute during adolescence. However, when an advanced airway is in place during CPR, the rate of breaths does not specifically follow these normal respiratory rates, as the priority is on maintaining adequate oxygenation and perfusion through uninterrupted compressions and sufficient ventilation.