During ACLS, an advanced airway (supraglottic device) is placed in an adult in cardiac arrest and compressions are ongoing. Once the airway is secured, the recommended rate of asynchronous ventilations is:

• A One breath every 2 to 3 seconds
• B One breath every 4 seconds
• C One breath every 12 seconds
• D One breath every 6 seconds ✓

Explanation

With an advanced airway in situ, ventilations are delivered asynchronously at 1 breath every 6 seconds (about 10 per minute), so that compressions are never interrupted for ventilation. Before an advanced airway, cycles of 30:2 are used. Faster rates such as one breath every 2 to 4 seconds cause hyperventilation, raising intrathoracic pressure, reducing venous return and lowering coronary perfusion pressure, which worsens outcomes.

Reference: AHA Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, 2020 ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.