New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

When performing ventilations on an infant or child in respiratory arrest, how often should you ventilate?

1. 5-6 seconds

2. 3-5 seconds

3. 1-2 seconds

4. every 10 seconds

The correct answer is: 3-5 seconds

When providing ventilations to an infant or child in respiratory arrest, the recommended frequency is every 3 to 5 seconds. This rate allows for adequate ventilation while minimizing the risk of over-inflation of the lungs, which can cause complications such as barotrauma or gastric distension. Ventilating too quickly (such as every second or every 10 seconds) would either not provide enough oxygen or could lead to excessive pressure being applied during the ventilation process. The 3 to 5 seconds interval strikes a balance, ensuring the patient receives sufficient breaths while maintaining safety and effectiveness in the delivery of ventilations. This approach is based on pediatric physiology and the need for ventilation to be paced according to the child's needs, which differ from those of adults.