Breathe Easy: Ace the 2026 Certified Respiratory Therapist Exam with Confidence!

During a code blue situation, the primary responsibility of a respiratory therapist is to provide ventilation support and ensure adequate oxygenation. This role is crucial because, in emergency scenarios where a patient is in cardiac arrest or experiencing respiratory failure, maintaining effective ventilation and oxygenation is vital for preserving brain function and overall organ viability.

The respiratory therapist is skilled in using various tools and equipment, such as bag-mask ventilation and advanced airway management techniques, to secure the airway and facilitate artificial ventilation when necessary. This intervention is essential to manage the patient's respiratory needs and support the efforts of the rest of the medical team in resuscitating the patient.

While other roles may be important during a code blue, such as administering medications or providing emotional support, they do not typically fall within the primary responsibilities of a respiratory therapist, whose expertise lies specifically in respiratory care and management in these critical moments. Additionally, monitoring heart rate is an important task, but the therapist's focus is broader, ensuring comprehensive respiratory management rather than just heart rate monitoring.