During CPR on an infant, what depth should chest compressions reach?

During CPR on an infant, what depth should chest compressions reach?

• A. 1/2 inch
• B. 2 inches
• C. 3 inches
• D. 1 1/2 inches

Answer: (D)

During infant CPR, the chest should be compressed about one and a half inches (roughly 4 cm). This depth is enough to squeeze the heart and push blood out to the body without causing excessive injury to the small, delicate chest. Infants have a much smaller chest, so the recommended depth is about one third of the chest’s size. If you go shallower than 1.5 inches, blood flow may be inadequate; going much deeper increases the risk of rib fractures or damage to internal organs. Use the proper infant technique—two fingers for a single rescuer or two thumbs encircling the chest—to achieve this depth safely.

During infant CPR, the chest should be compressed about one and a half inches (roughly 4 cm). This depth is enough to squeeze the heart and push blood out to the body without causing excessive injury to the small, delicate chest. Infants have a much smaller chest, so the recommended depth is about one third of the chest’s size. If you go shallower than 1.5 inches, blood flow may be inadequate; going much deeper increases the risk of rib fractures or damage to internal organs. Use the proper infant technique—two fingers for a single rescuer or two thumbs encircling the chest—to achieve this depth safely.