BLS Adult, Child & Infant Resuscitation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct mouth-to-mouth-and-nose technique for delivering rescue breaths to an infant?
- Cover only the mouth and pinch the nose shut
- Cover both the mouth and nose with your mouth (Correct answer)
- Use a mask that covers only the nose
- Deliver breaths into the nose only while keeping the mouth closed
Correct answer: Cover both the mouth and nose with your mouth
Because an infant's face is small, the rescuer covers both the mouth and nose with their mouth to deliver rescue breaths.
Question 2: When performing CPR alone on an infant, a healthcare provider should activate emergency services:
- Before beginning CPR
- After 5 cycles (approximately 2 minutes) of CPR (Correct answer)
- Only after the infant regains a pulse
- Immediately upon confirming unresponsiveness, before doing anything else
Correct answer: After 5 cycles (approximately 2 minutes) of CPR
For infants and children, lone healthcare providers should provide 5 cycles of CPR (~2 min) before leaving to activate EMS, because pediatric arrests are usually respiratory in origin.
Question 3: A child is found unresponsive with a pulse of 45 beats per minute but is not breathing. What is the appropriate action?
- Begin full CPR with compressions and ventilations
- Give rescue breaths only at a rate of 12–20 per minute (Correct answer)
- Begin compressions only at 100–120 per minute
- Monitor and wait for EMS without intervention
Correct answer: Give rescue breaths only at a rate of 12–20 per minute
If a pulse is present but breathing is absent or inadequate, rescue breathing alone (without compressions) is provided at the appropriate rate.
Question 4: How many rescue breaths per minute should be given to a child who has a pulse but is not breathing?
- 6–8 breaths per minute
- 10–12 breaths per minute
- 12–20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 20–25 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
Rescue breathing for children without cardiac arrest is delivered at 12–20 breaths per minute (one breath every 3–5 seconds).
Question 5: When using an AED on a child between 1 and 8 years old, which is the preferred approach?
- Use adult pads and adult energy settings
- Use pediatric pads or a pediatric key/attenuator if available (Correct answer)
- Do not use an AED on children — it is not safe
- Use the AED only after 3 cycles of CPR
Correct answer: Use pediatric pads or a pediatric key/attenuator if available
Pediatric pads or an attenuator reduce the energy delivered and are preferred for children 1–8 years old; adult equipment is used only if pediatric is unavailable.
Question 6: Which landmark is used when performing chest compressions on an infant?
- Upper half of the sternum
- Just above the xiphoid process
- Center of the chest, just below the nipple line (Correct answer)
- Left side of the chest over the heart
Correct answer: Center of the chest, just below the nipple line
Compressions on an infant are performed at the center of the chest, just below the nipple line, to avoid the xiphoid process.
Question 7: After an AED delivers a shock to an adult victim, what should the rescuer do immediately?
- Check for a pulse for up to 30 seconds
- Resume CPR starting with chest compressions (Correct answer)
- Wait for the AED to analyze again before continuing
- Deliver 2 rescue breaths before resuming compressions
Correct answer: Resume CPR starting with chest compressions
After a shock is delivered, CPR should be resumed immediately starting with compressions; the AED will prompt for another analysis after 2 minutes.
BLS Adult, Child & Infant Resuscitation 4
What is the correct mouth-to-mouth-and-nose technique for delivering rescue breaths to an infant?