Kern County EMT Protocols Practice Test

The essential idea is to prioritize ventilation and oxygenation in a neonate who is in distress with absent respirations. The recommended action is to assist with a bag-valve mask delivering 100% oxygen at a rate of about 40–60 breaths per minute. Providing high-concentration oxygen through effective ventilation helps establish oxygen delivery to the lungs and circulatory system during this critical period. Chest compressions are not begun immediately in this scenario; they’re indicated only after about 30 seconds of effective ventilation if the heart rate remains below 60. Epinephrine via an endotracheal tube is reserved for persistent bradycardia or cardiac arrest after basic resuscitation steps have been attempted. So the emphasis here is on timely, effective SAMPLEventilation with high oxygen content at the appropriate rate, rather than starting chest compressions or giving meds right away.