With an advanced airway in place, ventilations should be given at what rate per minute?

• A. 2 ventilations every 6 seconds
• B. 1 ventilation every 6 seconds
• C. 1 every 2 seconds
• D. 3 every 10 seconds

Answer: (B)

With an advanced airway in CPR, the goal is to keep chest compressions continuous and give ventilations at a steady, moderate rate. Deliver one breath every 6 seconds, which amounts to about 10 breaths per minute. This rate provides enough oxygenation while avoiding pauses in compressions and reducing the risk of gastric inflation or excessive intrathoracic pressure. Each ventilation should cause visible chest rise and be delivered smoothly, typically taking about a second. The other rates either push breaths too frequently, risking too much pressure or gastric air, or are too slow to support adequate oxygen delivery during continuous compressions.