What should you monitor in a child receiving ventilations to ensure effectiveness?

Monitoring chest rise in a child receiving ventilations is essential to ensure that the breaths are effective. Observing the chest rise provides clear visual confirmation that air is being adequately delivered into the lungs and that the child is receiving sufficient ventilation. Proper chest expansion indicates that the ventilations are not only going in but also that the child’s respiratory system is functioning to some extent, allowing for gas exchange.

If chest rise is inadequate or absent, it may suggest issues such as airway obstruction, improper mask seal, or insufficient pressure being applied during ventilations. Therefore, consistent monitoring of this sign is critical for assessing the effectiveness of the interventions being performed. Other indicators of airway and respiratory effectiveness may be useful, but chest rise directly reflects the success of ventilation efforts, making it the primary observation.