BLS Respiratory Arrest 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally. You have a bag-mask device. What is the correct tidal volume to deliver with each rescue breath?
- Enough to make the chest visibly rise (Correct answer)
- At least 1 liter per breath
- The maximum volume the bag can hold
- A rapid forceful squeeze of the entire bag
Correct answer: Enough to make the chest visibly rise
Deliver just enough volume to produce visible chest rise, typically 500–600 mL, to avoid gastric inflation.
Question 2: When performing rescue breathing for a patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse, what is the correct rate for an adult?
- 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 breath every 2–3 seconds
- 1 breath every 10 seconds
- 2 breaths every 5 seconds
Correct answer: 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
AHA guidelines recommend 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (10–12 breaths/min) for adults with a pulse.
Question 3: Which sign best distinguishes respiratory arrest from cardiac arrest?
- A pulse is present but breathing has stopped (Correct answer)
- Both pulse and breathing have stopped
- The patient is cyanotic but responsive
- Breathing is labored and noisy
Correct answer: A pulse is present but breathing has stopped
Respiratory arrest is defined by cessation of breathing while a pulse (circulation) remains detectable.
Question 4: A 4-year-old child is in respiratory arrest with a pulse. What rescue-breathing rate should you use?
- 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min) (Correct answer)
- 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (10–12/min)
- 2 breaths every 5 seconds
- 1 breath every 10 seconds
Correct answer: 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min)
For infants and children with a pulse, AHA recommends 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30 breaths/min).
Question 5: You are providing rescue breaths with a bag-mask and notice the chest is not rising. What is the FIRST corrective action?
- Reposition the head and recheck the mask seal (Correct answer)
- Switch to mouth-to-mouth ventilation immediately
- Increase the force of each squeeze
- Begin chest compressions
Correct answer: Reposition the head and recheck the mask seal
Inadequate chest rise usually indicates poor head position or mask seal; reposition before increasing force.
Question 6: Which of the following is a common cause of respiratory arrest in adults?
- Opioid overdose (Correct answer)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperglycemia
- Atrial fibrillation
Correct answer: Opioid overdose
Opioid overdose causes respiratory depression that can progress to complete respiratory arrest.
Question 7: If an unresponsive patient has agonal gasps, how should you respond?
- Treat as if not breathing and begin rescue breaths or CPR (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if normal breathing resumes
- Only begin CPR if the gasps stop within 30 seconds
- Provide supplemental oxygen by mask and observe
Correct answer: Treat as if not breathing and begin rescue breaths or CPR
Agonal gasps are ineffective and indicate cardiopulmonary arrest; begin CPR or rescue breathing immediately.
BLS Respiratory Arrest 2
A patient is found unresponsive and not breathing normally.
You have a bag-mask device.
What is the correct tidal volume to deliver with each rescue breath?