What is meant by artificial ventilation?

Artificial ventilation refers to the process of forcibly providing air or oxygen to a person’s lungs when they are unable to breathe effectively on their own. This technique is crucial in situations where spontaneous breathing is inadequate or has ceased, such as in cases of respiratory failure, drowning, or severe injury. It ensures that adequate oxygenation is maintained in the body and is often performed using equipment like a bag-valve mask or mechanical ventilators.

The focus of artificial ventilation is on delivering air or oxygen directly into the lungs, which contrasts with natural breathing processes that occur spontaneously without assistance. The other choices listed involve different aspects of respiration that do not relate to the mechanical or forcible aspect of artificial ventilation, thereby highlighting the importance of understanding this specific intervention in medical emergencies.