How are breaths delivered using a bag-mask device?
CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER
1 breath over 3 seconds, while watching for chest rise
2 breaths over 1 second, using force
1 breath over 1 second, while watching for chest rise
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
1 breath over 1 second, while watching for chest rise.
Explanation:
When delivering breaths using a bag-mask device, the goal is to provide effective ventilation to the patient without causing harm. The general guideline for administering breaths using a bag-mask device (BVM) is to deliver one breath over one second while ensuring proper chest rise. This is critical for a few reasons:
- Adequate Ventilation: A breath delivered over one second is the optimal rate for ensuring the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs) fill adequately with air, allowing for proper gas exchange. Rapid breaths or forceful delivery can cause overinflation, potentially leading to complications such as barotrauma (damage to lung tissue due to excessive pressure) or gastric inflation (air entering the stomach).
- Chest Rise Monitoring: The rise of the chest indicates that air is being effectively delivered into the lungs. By watching for chest rise, the provider can confirm that the breath has entered the lungs rather than the stomach or outside the body. This ensures that the airway is properly sealed, and ventilation is successful.
- Proper Mask Seal: Maintaining a good mask seal and positioning is essential to avoid air leakage. A properly positioned mask that covers the nose and mouth adequately allows for the efficient transfer of air. If the mask is not positioned correctly, air may escape, and the patient’s lungs may not receive sufficient ventilation.
- Avoiding Over-ventilation: Delivering breaths too quickly or with excessive force can result in over-ventilation. This not only risks causing physical injury to the patient but may also lead to complications like gastric distention, which can increase the risk of aspiration (the entry of stomach contents into the lungs).
In summary, delivering one breath over one second while ensuring the chest rises is the best practice for safe and effective ventilation with a bag-mask device.