Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What is the preferred method for ventilating an apneic patient?

1. Bag-mask device with one rescuer

2. Simple face mask

3. Bag-mask device with two rescuers

4. Endotracheal intubation

The correct answer is: Bag-mask device with two rescuers

The preferred method for ventilating an apneic patient is the use of a bag-mask device with two rescuers. This approach enhances the effectiveness of positive pressure ventilation. When two rescuers are involved, one can effectively maintain a proper seal on the mask while the other administers the ventilations. This teamwork enables a more reliable and secure delivery of breaths into the patient's lungs, significantly improving the chances of oxygenation and ventilation. Utilizing a bag-mask device with two rescuers also helps to mitigate common challenges associated with mask ventilation, such as mask leaks or difficulty in achieving adequate chest rise, which can occur when only one person is managing the airway. Additionally, the two-man technique allows for better monitoring of the patient’s response to ventilation and permits more rapid adjustments if complications arise. The other options, while they may provide some level of airway support, do not match the efficacy and reliability of the two-rescuer bag-mask technique in managing an apneic patient.