During the primary survey, which finding indicates inadequate ventilation?

• A. Normal Chest Rise With Ventilation
• B. Loud Breath Sounds With Good Air Entry
• C. No Chest Rise With Ventilation
• D. Normal Respiratory Rate

Answer: (C)

Focus on whether air is actually moving into the lungs with each breath you deliver. In the primary survey, effective ventilation shows as chest rise with each assisted breath. If there is no chest rise when you give a breath, air isn’t entering the lungs, so ventilation is inadequate. This signals a problem with the airway or the seal of the mask, and you should reassess immediately—reposition the head and airway, check for obstructions, improve the mask seal, and suction if needed. The other signs—normal chest rise, loud breath sounds with good air entry, or a normal respiratory rate—do not indicate inadequate ventilation; they suggest air is moving, though rate alone isn’t a perfect measure of ventilation adequacy.