What is a potential consequence of not adjusting the oxygen flow for a person receiving bag-valve ventilation?

When providing bag-valve ventilation, it is essential to adjust the oxygen flow adequately to ensure that the person receives the appropriate amount of oxygen. If this flow is not correctly managed, one potential consequence is excessive tidal volume, which can result in barotrauma.

Barotrauma occurs when too much pressure is applied to the lungs, leading to potential injury to the lung tissue, such as ruptured alveoli or pneumothorax. In bag-valve mask ventilation, if the breath is delivered too forcefully or too much volume is used without proper adjustments to the flow, this can create excessive pressure within the thoracic cavity, leading to these injuries.

Proper management of the oxygen flow during bag-valve ventilation promotes adequate gas exchange while mitigating the risks of delivering too much volume at once, thereby preventing barotrauma and ensuring patient safety. It's crucial for rescuers to receive proper training on how to adjust ventilation parameters effectively and monitor the patient's response continuously.