Adult, Child & Infant Resuscitation Flashcards

What is the recommended compression depth for adults during CPR?

Answer: At least 2 inches

For effective adult CPR, chest compressions must be deep enough to adequately circulate blood to vital organs. The recommended depth is at least 2 inches (5 cm), but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm). Compressing too shallowly will not provide sufficient blood flow, while compressing too deeply can cause injury, making proper depth crucial.

What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer infant CPR?

Answer: 30:2

For single-rescuer infant CPR, the compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths. This ratio is consistent across all age groups (adults, children, and infants) for single rescuers, simplifying the protocol. It ensures adequate blood flow and oxygenation, which are both critical for an infant in cardiac arrest.

Where should you place your hands for chest compressions on a child?

Answer: On the sternum, just below the nipple line

For child CPR, compressions should be delivered on the lower half of the sternum, just below the nipple line. This placement ensures that compressions are delivered over the heart, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing the risk of injury to other organs or ribs. One or two hands can be used depending on the child's size to achieve the correct depth.

What is the preferred method of chest compressions for 2-rescuer infant CPR?

Answer: Encircling thumbs technique

For 2-rescuer infant CPR, the encircling thumbs technique is preferred. This method involves rescuers encircling the infant's chest with their hands and using their thumbs to compress the sternum. It provides better compression depth and force, reduces rescuer fatigue, and allows for better coordination between rescuers, leading to more effective CPR.

What is the appropriate compression depth for a child?

Answer: About 2 inches or 1/3 chest depth

For effective child CPR, compressions should be approximately 2 inches (5 cm) deep, or about one-third the depth of the child's chest. This depth ensures adequate blood circulation to vital organs without causing excessive force or injury. It's crucial to allow for complete chest recoil between compressions to allow the heart to refill with blood.

For adult CPR, what is the recommended compression rate?

Answer: 100–120 compressions per minute

The recommended compression rate for adult CPR is 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This rate ensures that blood is circulated effectively and consistently to the brain and other vital organs, maximizing the chances of survival. Maintaining this rhythm is crucial for providing high-quality CPR and improving patient outcomes during cardiac arrest.

How do you open the airway in an unresponsive adult without suspected spinal injury?

Answer: Head tilt–chin lift

The head tilt–chin lift maneuver is the standard method for opening the airway in an unresponsive adult without suspected spinal injury. This technique lifts the tongue away from the back of the throat, which is the most common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious person. It effectively opens the airway to allow for ventilation and oxygen delivery.

Which action is unique to infant CPR compared to adults?

Answer: Breaths before compressions for single rescuer if arrest was not witnessed

For infants and children, especially if the arrest was not witnessed (suggesting a respiratory cause), the BLS guidelines recommend starting with 2 rescue breaths before beginning compressions for a single rescuer. This differs from adult CPR, where the sequence is C-A-B (Compressions-Airway-Breathing) for witnessed arrests, prioritizing compressions immediately. This initial ventilation helps address potential respiratory failure.

What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer child CPR?

Answer: 15:2

For two-rescuer child CPR, the compression-to-ventilation ratio is 15 compressions followed by 2 breaths. This ratio provides a higher proportion of breaths compared to single-rescuer CPR (30:2), acknowledging that children often experience cardiac arrest due to respiratory issues. More frequent ventilation helps address their primary need for oxygen.