How many total breaths should be given in two minutes for an adult during CPR?

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When performing CPR on an adult, the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. This cycle is repeated continuously. Over a span of two minutes, which consists of 120 seconds, the goal would be to complete several cycles of this ratio.

Since each full cycle includes 30 compressions and 2 breaths, within two minutes, several cycles would occur. In total, you would perform 30 compressions and deliver 2 breaths for each cycle. In two minutes, if you complete approximately 5 cycles (as you can fit roughly 30 seconds into each cycle), you will thus give 10 breaths (2 breaths per cycle) in that time frame. However, if adhering strictly to the question's focus on the number of breaths given independently from the ratio of compressions, the total number of breaths alone in those two minutes would still not exceed 30, highlighting the focus on both compression and breaths during CPR.

This makes 30 breaths the sum count of breaths that are given during this critical time frame of CPR for an adult and aligns with the teaching that emphasizes the importance of providing effective ventilations along with chest compressions to optimize oxygenation and support for the patient during cardiac arrest.

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