What complication might arise if ventilations are not adequately assisted in an apneic patient?

In an apneic patient, if ventilations are not adequately assisted, the primary concern is hypoxia. Apnea indicates that the patient is not breathing, which leads to a lack of oxygenation in the body. When the airflow is obstructed or not sufficiently provided, the body's tissues and organs can become deprived of oxygen, resulting in hypoxia. This condition can rapidly become life-threatening, as oxygen is crucial for cellular metabolism and function.

While other complications can occur in the context of ventilation assistance, they stem from different issues. For example, barotrauma can occur if the pressure during ventilation is too high, causing damage to the lung tissue, and respiratory alkalosis can happen from hyperventilation, leading to excessive exhalation of carbon dioxide. Esophageal intubation is a risk when attempting to secure the airway, but it is not directly related to the failure to assist ventilations. The immediate consequence of not providing adequate ventilation in an apneic patient, however, is the critical decrease in oxygen levels, leading to hypoxia.