The correct rate for artificial ventilation for apneic adults is one breath every ___ to ___ seconds (10 to 12 times per minute).

• A. 5; 6
• B. 2; 3
• C. 10; 12
• D. 20; 30

Answer: (A)

An apneic adult should be ventilated at about 10 to 12 breaths per minute, which means one breath every 5 to 6 seconds. This interval comes from dividing 60 seconds by the breaths per minute: 60/12 = 5 seconds and 60/10 = 6 seconds. So 5 to 6 seconds between breaths is the correct pacing. Keeping breaths in this range provides adequate ventilation without over-ventilating, which can cause gastric distension and reduced venous return. In practice, use a bag-valve-mask with appropriate oxygen and watch for clear chest rise, aiming for roughly five to six seconds between breaths. Rates that are much faster (like 2–3 seconds) or much slower (like 10–12 seconds) would be incorrect for this scenario.