During CPR, when an adult patient with an advanced airway is being ventilated, how often should you give a breath?

• A. One breath every 6 seconds.
• B. One breath every 2 seconds.
• C. One breath every 12 seconds.
• D. Continuous compressions with no breaths.

Answer: (A)

With an advanced airway in place, you keep chest compressions continuous and ventilate at a steady rate of one breath every 6 seconds, which is about 10 breaths per minute. This rate provides necessary oxygen delivery while maintaining blood flow, since frequent pauses for ventilation reduce coronary and cerebral perfusion. Breathing too rapidly can cause hyperventilation and high intrathoracic pressure, while breathing too slowly risks inadequate oxygenation. Each breath should be delivered in roughly a 1-second puff with the chest visibly rising, and can be given in an asynchronous pattern to ongoing compressions.