Respiratory Arrest Flashcards
7 cards from real BLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Respiratory Arrest flashcards as text
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?
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.
When performing rescue breathing for a patient in respiratory arrest with a pulse, what is the correct rate for an adult?
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.
Which sign best distinguishes respiratory arrest from cardiac arrest?
Answer: A pulse is present but breathing has stopped
Respiratory arrest is defined by cessation of breathing while a pulse (circulation) remains detectable.
A 4-year-old child is in respiratory arrest with a pulse. What rescue-breathing rate should you use?
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).
You are providing rescue breaths with a bag-mask and notice the chest is not rising. What is the FIRST corrective action?
Answer: Reposition the head and recheck the mask seal
Inadequate chest rise usually indicates poor head position or mask seal; reposition before increasing force.
Which of the following is a common cause of respiratory arrest in adults?
Answer: Opioid overdose
Opioid overdose causes respiratory depression that can progress to complete respiratory arrest.
If an unresponsive patient has agonal gasps, how should you respond?
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.