During pediatric ventilation assessment, which method helps confirm adequate ventilation?

• A. Listen for breath sounds with stethoscope
• B. Count respirations for 15 seconds
• C. Palpate abdomen for rise and fall
• D. Check blood pressure

Answer: (C)

In pediatric ventilation, the quickest way to confirm that breaths are actually reaching the lungs is to feel for abdominal movement—watching or palpating the abdomen rise with each breath. Infants and young children rely more on diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing, so an outward rise of the abdomen with each bag‑valve‑mask breath indicates air is entering the lungs. If the abdomen doesn’t rise, you’d reassess technique—recheck the mask seal, adjust head position, clear the airway, or reposition to improve airflow. While listening for breath sounds can help, it doesn’t prove adequate ventilation, counting respirations is unreliable for confirming effective breaths, and blood pressure doesn’t reflect current ventilation.