North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is a sign that ventilation is needed in a patient?

1. High pulse oximetry readings

2. Normal heart rate

3. Decreased respiratory rate

4. No visible breaths

The correct answer is: No visible breaths

Ventilation is a critical aspect of providing care for patients who have compromised respiratory function. A key sign that ventilation is needed is the absence of visible breaths. When a patient shows no visible signs of breathing, it indicates that they may not be adequately oxygenating their blood or expelling carbon dioxide, which can lead to respiratory failure. In this scenario, the lack of breaths suggests a serious issue that requires immediate intervention, such as artificial ventilation or supplemental oxygen, to restore the patient’s ability to breathe effectively. While high pulse oximetry readings, normal heart rate, and decreased respiratory rate could all provide some information about the patient's condition, they are not definitive indicators that ventilation is required. In particular, high pulse oximetry readings can indicate adequate oxygenation despite respiratory distress, and a normal heart rate does not necessarily correlate with effective breathing. A decreased respiratory rate may suggest a range of conditions requiring different treatments, but it is not as clear-cut a sign of immediate ventilation need as the absence of breaths.