Which device is used to ventilate an unresponsive patient when an advanced airway is not available?

• A. Bag-valve mask
• B. Endotracheal tube
• C. Laryngoscope
• D. Nasal cannula

Answer: (A)

The main idea is providing ventilation with a basic device when you don’t have an advanced airway. A bag-valve mask is a manual resuscitation tool that, when you squeeze the bag, delivers breaths through a face mask to push air into the lungs, giving positive-pressure ventilation. It’s used with unresponsive patients who aren’t breathing to maintain oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal while you assess or secure a definitive airway. Ensure a good seal, consider an oropharyngeal or jaw-thrust maneuver as needed, and deliver breaths at a steady rate without over-ventilating. The other devices are for securing or facilitating an advanced airway or supplying just oxygen, not for delivering rescue breaths when no advanced airway is available.