Which intervention would most likely result in passive ventilation?

Study for the EMT Airway and Breathing Exam. Access diverse questions, practice your skills, and enhance your knowledge with detailed explanations. Prepare efficiently and achieve success!

Passive ventilation refers to the process of air movement that occurs in the lungs without any active effort from the patient or healthcare provider. This typically occurs when a patient's chest expands and contracts, allowing air to flow in and out of the lungs due to changes in pressure, rather than through any forceful action like positive pressure ventilation.

The chest recoil during chest compressions is a prime example of passive ventilation. When compressions are applied to the chest during CPR, the heart and lungs are compressed, which forces air out of the lungs. Upon releasing the compression, the chest wall recoils, creating a negative pressure that allows air to enter the lungs. This natural cycle facilitates passive ventilation, enabling oxygen to enter the lungs without active inhalation.

In contrast, methods like positive pressure ventilation actively push air into the lungs, and inhalation with supplemental oxygen involves the patient inhaling air, both of which are not examples of passive ventilation. The use of an oropharyngeal airway assists in maintaining an open airway, but alone it doesn’t facilitate any form of ventilation without an added effort—making chest recoil during compressions the most accurate choice for passive ventilation.

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