What is the frequency of rescue breaths for an infant during resuscitation?

During infant resuscitation, the correct frequency for rescue breaths is every 3 seconds. This guideline is based on the need to provide adequate oxygenation while minimizing the risk of overinflating the lungs. In pediatric resuscitation, especially for infants, the priority is to ensure that breaths are delivered slowly and steadily to allow for sufficient time for exhalation.

Delivering breaths too quickly can lead to increased pressure in the lungs and can also introduce excess air into the stomach, which may cause complications such as vomiting or decreased effectiveness of resuscitation efforts. Therefore, maintaining a rate of one breath every 3 seconds helps ensure that infants receive the necessary oxygen without overburdening their respiratory system.

In contrast, other frequencies provided in the options do not align with the guidelines established for infant resuscitation, as they either risk delivering breaths too rapidly or fail to provide adequate time for the infant's lungs to expand and contract properly.