Question

Prior to beginning positive pressure ventilation​ (PPV), which should the EMT do​ first?

A. Establish an IV access.
B. Perform the cricoid maneuver.
C. Open the airway.
D. Assess the heart rate.

Answer 1

Before starting positive pressure ventilation, the EMT must first open the patient's airway to ensure that air can be effectively delivered to the lungs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prior to beginning positive pressure ventilation (PPV), the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) should first open the airway. This is crucial because PPV is only effective if air can actually reach the lungs. Opening the airway can be achieved through maneuvers such as the head-tilt, chin-lift method, or jaw-thrust maneuver, especially if a spinal injury is suspected.

Establishing an IV access is important for overall patient management, but not immediately critical for starting PPV. The cricoid maneuver, or Sellick's maneuver, is applied to prevent regurgitation during intubation, but it is not the first step in PPV. Assessing the heart rate is part of the overall patient assessment, but the immediate concern in PPV is to ensure that oxygen can reach the patient's lungs.