The correct rate for artificial ventilation for infants and children is one breath every ___ to ____ seconds (12 to 20 times per minute).

• A. 1; 2
• B. 3; 5
• C. 6; 8
• D. 8; 10

Answer: (B)

Pediatric ventilation is guided by delivering 12–20 breaths per minute. Convert that to a time interval between breaths: 60 seconds divided by 12 equals 5 seconds, and 60 divided by 20 equals 3 seconds. So the correct range is about 3–5 seconds per breath. This rate provides enough oxygenation without hyperventilating, which can raise intrathoracic pressure and reduce effective circulation. The other ranges fall outside the recommended pace: 1–2 seconds per breath equates to 30–60 breaths per minute (too fast), while 6–8 seconds or 8–10 seconds per breath equate to roughly 7.5–10 or 6–7.5 breaths per minute (too slow).