BLS Airway Management & Ventilation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bystander says they are unwilling to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing. What should you tell them to do?
- Do nothing and wait for EMS
- Perform compression-only (hands-only) CPR (Correct answer)
- Only open the airway and check for breathing
- Perform chest compressions at half speed
Correct answer: Perform compression-only (hands-only) CPR
Hands-only (compression-only) CPR is a recommended alternative for bystanders unwilling or unable to provide rescue breaths, especially in adult sudden cardiac arrest.
Question 2: When inserting an oropharyngeal airway in an adult, what is the correct insertion technique?
- Insert with the curve pointing down toward the tongue
- Insert upside down (curve toward the palate) and rotate 180° as it passes the tongue (Correct answer)
- Insert sideways and then rotate 90°
- Insert straight back, following the curve of the tongue
Correct answer: Insert upside down (curve toward the palate) and rotate 180° as it passes the tongue
In adults, the OPA is inserted with the tip pointing toward the roof of the mouth, then rotated 180° so the curve follows the tongue as it passes the soft palate.
Question 3: Rescue breathing is being given to a child at what rate?
- 1 breath every 2 seconds (30/min)
- 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min) (Correct answer)
- 1 breath every 5–6 seconds (10–12/min)
- 2 breaths every 15 compressions
Correct answer: 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (20–30/min)
For a child with a pulse but no breathing, rescue breathing is delivered at 1 breath every 2–3 seconds, equivalent to 20–30 breaths per minute.
Question 4: When performing rescue breathing for an infant, what is the correct mouth-to-airway technique?
- Mouth-to-mouth only, pinching the nose shut
- Mouth-to-nose only
- Mouth covering both the mouth and nose of the infant (Correct answer)
- Using a standard adult pocket mask
Correct answer: Mouth covering both the mouth and nose of the infant
For infants, the rescuer covers both the mouth and nose with their mouth, because the infant's face is small enough to allow a complete seal over both openings.
Question 5: What should you do if you notice the victim's stomach is rising during rescue breaths?
- Compress the abdomen between breaths to release the air
- Reduce the volume and speed of breaths and ensure the airway is properly positioned (Correct answer)
- Increase the force of breaths to push air into the lungs instead
- Stop rescue breaths and continue compressions only
Correct answer: Reduce the volume and speed of breaths and ensure the airway is properly positioned
A rising stomach indicates air is going into the stomach; reduce breath volume and speed, recheck airway positioning, and ensure the head-tilt is adequate.
Question 6: Which of the following correctly describes the flow of air during rescue breathing into a properly opened airway?
- Mouth → esophagus → stomach → diaphragm
- Mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → lungs (Correct answer)
- Mouth → pharynx → epiglottis → esophagus → lungs
- Mouth → nasal passage → sinuses → trachea → lungs
Correct answer: Mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → lungs
Air travels from the mouth through the pharynx, past the larynx and vocal cords, down the trachea, and into the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
Question 7: A rescuer is performing CPR alone and is too fatigued to continue effective compressions. What is the best course of action?
- Switch to rescue breaths only and rest the arms
- Continue at a slower rate to conserve energy
- Call out for anyone nearby to take over compressions and continue until help arrives (Correct answer)
- Stop CPR and wait for EMS
Correct answer: Call out for anyone nearby to take over compressions and continue until help arrives
The rescuer should call for someone else to take over while continuing CPR as best they can — stopping CPR significantly reduces survival chances.
BLS Airway Management & Ventilation 5
A bystander says they are unwilling to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing.
What should you tell them to do?