Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

The correct compression-to-ventilation ratio to be used before placing an advanced airway is 30:2. This ratio is the guideline established for adult patients during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is designed to optimize the effectiveness of chest compressions while providing adequate ventilation, particularly when there is no advanced airway in place to assist with breathing.

When performing CPR, it is critical to maintain high-quality chest compressions to ensure adequate blood flow to vital organs. The 30:2 ratio allows for performing thirty chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths, ensuring that oxygenation occurs periodically while minimizing interruptions in chest compressions.

Using this ratio allows emergency responders to maintain focus on high-quality compressions, which is crucial for survival in cardiac arrest situations. Once an advanced airway is placed, the focus shifts from compressions to continuous ventilation, but before that intervention, adhering to the 30:2 ratio is essential for effective resuscitation efforts.