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The recommended ventilation rate for an adult patient when end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) monitoring is unavailable is 15 breaths per minute. This rate is based on the guidelines for basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) protocols.

In the absence of ETCO2 monitoring, 15 breaths per minute is considered a safe and effective rate to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation without causing hyperventilation. This rate aligns with the physiological requirements of an adult at rest, providing enough time between breaths to allow for proper gas exchange in the lungs. Adhering to this guideline helps to maintain appropriate levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which is crucial for maintaining normal physiology and reducing the risk of complications associated with either too high or too low ventilation rates.

Other rates, such as 20, 25, or 30 breaths per minute, although they may seem adequate at first glance, could lead to hyperventilation or inadequate minute ventilation, thus disrupting the delicate balance necessary for effective respiration.