Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

During CPR, what can you do to correct a collapsing oxygen reservoir bag?

1. Decrease the flow of oxygen

2. Use a smaller bag

3. Increase O2 flow to the bag

4. Change to a different resuscitator

The correct answer is: Use a smaller bag

In the context of CPR, a collapsing oxygen reservoir bag indicates that there may not be enough oxygen flow to adequately fill the bag during ventilation. In this situation, the appropriate response should be to ensure that the reservoir bag stays inflated to allow for effective oxygenation. Using a smaller bag might seem counterintuitive, but it can actually be a practical approach in certain situations, especially if the originally used bag is too large, causing it to require more oxygen to fill. A smaller bag can be easier to maintain inflated, as it requires less volume of gas to keep it filled. This facilitates more effective breathing assistance to the patient by ensuring that there is a continuous supply of oxygen available for each ventilation attempted. Additionally, using a smaller bag may result in more efficient use of the oxygen supplied, allowing the rescuer to deliver breaths more effectively without letting the bag collapse. This can be crucial during high-stakes situations like CPR where every moment counts, and effective ventilation must be maintained. Increasing the flow of oxygen to the bag could also help in many situations, but it does not directly address the issue of the bag's size and how effectively it can be controlled by the rescuer. A larger bag may require high flow rates to avoid collapsing, which