Which of the following is referred to as an artificial manual breathing unit?

Appeared in: BTSC 3 August 2025

Explanation

A Bag Valve Mask (BVM) is a portable, hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation.
It is commonly referred to by the acronym AMBU, which stands for Artificial Manual Breathing Unit.
The BVM is used for patients who are not breathing or are breathing inadequately, making it the correct answer.
It consists of a self-inflating bag, a one-way valve, and a face mask.

Option A: A nasopharyngeal airway is an airway adjunct, not a breathing unit. Its purpose is to maintain a patent (open) airway by bypassing the tongue.
Option B: The I-gel is a type of supraglottic airway device. It secures the airway above the vocal cords but does not have a mechanism to manually deliver breaths itself. It requires a separate device, like a BVM or ventilator, to provide ventilation.
Option C: A Combi tube is an advanced, double-lumen airway device used for blind insertion in emergency situations. Like other advanced airways, it secures a path for ventilation but is not the manual breathing unit itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of emergency respiratory equipment as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proficiency in using a Bag Valve Mask is a fundamental skill for nurses in any setting, as it is a primary intervention in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and respiratory emergencies.
Improper BVM technique can be life-threatening. Forcing too much air too quickly can lead to gastric insufflation, increasing the risk of vomiting and aspiration. It can also increase intrathoracic pressure, reducing blood return to the heart.
What if? If the patient has a suspected cervical spine injury, the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is contraindicated. The nurse must use the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway before applying the BVM.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question's key phrase: 'artificial manual breathing unit'. 'Artificial' means it's a device, 'manual' means hand-operated, and 'breathing unit' means it delivers breaths.
Next, evaluate each option against this definition.
Consider the function of a nasopharyngeal airway, I-gel, and Combi tube. Recognize that these are all 'airways'—tubes that hold a passage open—but they don't actively 'breathe' for the patient.
Identify the Bag Valve Mask as the only device on the list that is squeezed by hand ('manual') to push air into the lungs ('breathing unit').
Recall or deduce that AMBU is a common name for a BVM and stands for Artificial Manual Breathing Unit, confirming the answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 115-117

Practise the full BTSC 3 August 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.