Question

You are manually ventilating a patient using a bag valve mask (BVM). The patient is connected to a pulse oximetry and the oxygen saturation reading is 80. You do not see the chest rise. What steps can you take?

A. Squeeze the bag much faster.
B. Do a finger sweep of the mouth to make sure it's clear.
C. Put down the ambu bag and start mouth to mouth resuscitation using a barrier device.
D. Reposition the head and make sure you have a tight seal with the mask

Answer 1

To improve manual ventilation using a BVM without visible chest rise and low oxygen saturation, reposition the patient's head and ensure a tight seal with the mask before checking for airway obstructions.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you are manually ventilating a patient using a bag valve mask (BVM) and do not see the chest rise, with an oxygen saturation reading of 80, you should not squeeze the bag much faster. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Reposition the head to ensure the airway is open. Positioning is crucial as improper alignment can block airflow.
2. Ensure there is a tight seal with the mask on the patient's face. Air leaks can prevent adequate ventilation.
3. Check for obstructions in the airway and perform a finger sweep only if an obstruction is visible, but be cautious to avoid pushing an unseen obstruction further down.

If chest rise is still not observed, additional help should be enlisted, such as activating the emergency response system or getting assistance from a colleague. Continue to adjust technique and re-evaluate the patient's condition regularly.