A bag-mask device is primarily used to provide what to a victim who is not breathing?

The primary purpose of a bag-mask device is to provide positive-pressure ventilation to a victim who is not breathing. When using this device, a healthcare provider uses a bag to deliver air (which contains oxygen) directly into the lungs of the person who is not breathing adequately or at all. This is a critical intervention because it helps to facilitate gas exchange in the lungs, ensuring that oxygen reaches the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is expelled.

Positive-pressure ventilation creates a forceful influx of air into the lungs, which is essential when a person's own breathing is insufficient. The effective use of the bag-mask device can significantly improve survival rates in cases of respiratory failure or cardiac arrest, especially when combined with chest compressions and other resuscitation efforts.

While other options may seem related, they either do not address the primary function of the device or represent different aspects of emergency care. For example, while assisted breathing may seem relevant, it’s a broader term that does not specifically capture the action of providing positive-pressure ventilation that is characteristic of a bag-mask system.