What is the rate of BVM ventilation in high-quality CPR?

Prepare for the Santa Clara County Critical Care Transport Exam. Study critical care guidelines with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and thorough explanations. Ensure you're ready for your test!

In high-quality CPR, the recommended rate for bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation is 1 breath every 6 seconds, which aligns with the correct choice. This rate is based on guidelines that prioritize effective chest compressions while ensuring that ventilation is adequately delivered without interrupting the circulation for too long. The guideline of 1 breath every 6 seconds translates to a total of 10 breaths per minute, which has been found to be optimal since it allows for pauses in chest compressions that are brief enough to maintain circulation, while providing sufficient time for adequate ventilation.

The other options reflect ventilation rates that either offer inadequate ventilation per minute or prolong interruptions in compressions. A faster rate could result in ineffective breaths and may lead to increased intrathoracic pressure, which limits the return of blood to the heart. Conversely, a slower ventilation rate could impair oxygenation during a critical period of cardiac arrest. Therefore, maintaining the balance of high-quality CPR alongside effective ventilation at 1 breath every 6 seconds is essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

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