When using a bag valve mask, where should the mask be placed on the face?

When using a bag valve mask, where should the mask be placed on the face?

• A. Over the nose
• B. Over the mouth
• C. Over the chin
• D. Over the eyes

Answer: (A)

A good bag-valve-mask delivery hinges on a tight, leak-free seal around the airway. The mask should sit on the face so that it covers both the nose and the mouth, with the edges snug against the cheeks and under the nose. This placement prevents air from leaking out the sides and ensures the breaths you squeeze into the bag actually reach the lungs. If the mask is off-center, on the chin, or over the eyes, a proper seal can’t be achieved and ventilation will be ineffective. In practice you position the mask to seal across the nose-to-mouth region, adjust the head and jaw to keep the airway open, and use a two-handed grip if possible to maintain the seal. You can confirm effective ventilation by watching for chest rise and listening for breath sounds. The location described here corresponds to placing the mask over the nose region, which is the central facial area needed to achieve a proper seal for ventilation.

A good bag-valve-mask delivery hinges on a tight, leak-free seal around the airway. The mask should sit on the face so that it covers both the nose and the mouth, with the edges snug against the cheeks and under the nose. This placement prevents air from leaking out the sides and ensures the breaths you squeeze into the bag actually reach the lungs. If the mask is off-center, on the chin, or over the eyes, a proper seal can’t be achieved and ventilation will be ineffective. In practice you position the mask to seal across the nose-to-mouth region, adjust the head and jaw to keep the airway open, and use a two-handed grip if possible to maintain the seal. You can confirm effective ventilation by watching for chest rise and listening for breath sounds. The location described here corresponds to placing the mask over the nose region, which is the central facial area needed to achieve a proper seal for ventilation.