For infant CPR, what distance should the chest be depressed to?

For infant CPR, what distance should the chest be depressed to?

• A. 1/4 inch
• B. 2 1/2 inches
• C. 3 inches
• D. 1 1/2 inches

Answer: (D)

Infant chest compressions should depress the chest about one and a half inches (roughly 4 cm). This depth matches the guideline of compressing about one third of the chest’s diameter, which provides enough force to propel blood with each compression while avoiding excessive force on a small infant’s chest. If you compress only a quarter of an inch, the blood flow won’t be adequate. Going to two and a half inches or more is likely to cause injury to the ribs or internal organs. So about 1.5 inches hits the right balance between effective perfusion and safety.

Infant chest compressions should depress the chest about one and a half inches (roughly 4 cm). This depth matches the guideline of compressing about one third of the chest’s diameter, which provides enough force to propel blood with each compression while avoiding excessive force on a small infant’s chest. If you compress only a quarter of an inch, the blood flow won’t be adequate. Going to two and a half inches or more is likely to cause injury to the ribs or internal organs. So about 1.5 inches hits the right balance between effective perfusion and safety.