What are the recommended compression depth and rate for infant and pediatric CPR?

What are the recommended compression depth and rate for infant and pediatric CPR?

• A. Infant: 1.5 inches and 100-120/min; Pediatric: 2 inches and 100-120/min
• B. Infant: 2 inches and 80-100/min; Pediatric: 1.5 inches and 100-120/min
• C. Infant: 1 inch and 60-80/min; Pediatric: 2 inches and 120-140/min
• D. Infant: 1.5 inches and 100-120/min; Pediatric: 1.5 inches and 60-90/min

Answer: (A)

In CPR, delivering compressions with the right depth and at an appropriate rate is key to generating blood flow while minimizing injury. The correct approach uses shallower compressions for infants and slightly deeper ones for children, but keeps the same cadence to maintain perfusion. For infants, compress about 1.5 inches (roughly 4 cm) at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. This depth is enough to generate blood flow without risking injury to their delicate chest. For children, compress about 2 inches (roughly 5 cm) at the same rate of 100–120 per minute. Their larger chest can tolerate a bit more depth, which helps maintain adequate circulation. Why the other options aren’t as good: depths or rates outside these ranges reduce effectiveness—for example, too-slow rates like 60–80/min lower overall perfusion, and depths like 2 inches for an infant or 1 inch for a pediatric patient risk insufficient blood flow or increased injury risk. The recommended combination aligns with maintaining effective perfusion while fitting the size and anatomy of each group.

In CPR, delivering compressions with the right depth and at an appropriate rate is key to generating blood flow while minimizing injury. The correct approach uses shallower compressions for infants and slightly deeper ones for children, but keeps the same cadence to maintain perfusion.

For infants, compress about 1.5 inches (roughly 4 cm) at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. This depth is enough to generate blood flow without risking injury to their delicate chest.

For children, compress about 2 inches (roughly 5 cm) at the same rate of 100–120 per minute. Their larger chest can tolerate a bit more depth, which helps maintain adequate circulation.

Why the other options aren’t as good: depths or rates outside these ranges reduce effectiveness—for example, too-slow rates like 60–80/min lower overall perfusion, and depths like 2 inches for an infant or 1 inch for a pediatric patient risk insufficient blood flow or increased injury risk. The recommended combination aligns with maintaining effective perfusion while fitting the size and anatomy of each group.