Ventilation - BLS Flashcards
Q: What is the purpose of mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: To inflate the lungs of someone who has stopped breathing, using exhaled air, to maintain life until advanced airway management is available.
Q: What is the oxygen concentration in exhaled air during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: 16–17%, which is less than oxygen-enriched air and should be replaced by advanced ventilation as soon as possible.
Q: When is mouth-to-mouth ventilation contraindicated?
A: For patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, due to a higher risk of disease transmission.
Q: What should be done if a face shield is available during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: Use the shield to reduce the risk of disease transmission, following the same technique as without the shield.
Q: What is the first step before starting mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: Perform 30 chest compressions to prepare for delivering rescue breaths.
Q: How should the patient’s head be positioned for mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: Tilt the head back into the “sniffing the morning air” position to lift the tongue off the back of the throat and open the airway.
Q: Why is it important to pinch the nose during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: To stop air from escaping through the nose during rescue breaths.
Q: What is the correct technique for delivering rescue breaths?
A:
- Take a normal breath.
- Seal your mouth over the patient’s mouth.
- Breathe out steadily over about 1 second, watching for the chest to rise.
- Remove your mouth and check for the chest to fall.
Q: What should you do if the chest does not rise during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A:
- Recheck the airway by tilting the head further back.
- Ensure the airway is clear.
- Attempt another rescue breath, ensuring a proper seal and steady exhalation.
Q: How many attempts at rescue breaths should be made if the chest does not rise?
A: Only two attempts should be made before returning to chest compressions.
Q: What is the correct ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths during CPR?
A: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths.
Q: What is the next step after delivering two successful rescue breaths?
A: Resume chest compressions immediately, continuing the CPR cycle.
Q: How should the breath be delivered to avoid forcing air into the stomach?
A: Deliver the breath steadily, avoiding sharp exhalation.
Q: What personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: PPE appropriate to the situation, following local and national guidelines.
Q: Why should dentures only be removed if visible as an obstruction?
A: Blindly removing dentures could dislodge or push other obstructions further back into the airway.
Q: What should you consider before performing mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: The environment must be safe, and risks of infection to the practitioner should be minimized.
Q: What is the purpose of the “sniffing the morning air” position during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: It ensures the tongue lifts off the back of the throat, opening the airway for effective ventilation.
Q: What should be done before positioning the patient for mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: Ensure the environment is safe and put on appropriate PPE as soon as possible.
Q: What is the significance of observing the chest during rescue breaths?
A: Watching for chest rise confirms that the breath is effectively inflating the lungs, and checking for chest fall ensures proper exhalation.
Q: Why should breaths not be exhaled sharply during mouth-to-mouth ventilation?
A: Sharp exhalation may force air into the stomach, increasing the risk of gastric inflation and potential aspiration.
Q: What should you do immediately if rescue breaths fail to inflate the chest?
A: Resume chest compressions without delay, following the CPR cycle.
Q: Why is it important to limit rescue breath attempts to two if the chest does not rise?
A: To minimize interruptions to chest compressions, which are critical for maintaining circulation during CPR.
