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BLS / ACLS practice questions

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Question 1Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

In the out-of-hospital adult Chain of Survival, which action is the first link?

  1. Advanced life support and transport to hospital
  2. Recognizing arrest and activating EMS Correct answer.
  3. Delivering a shock with an AED
  4. Starting high-quality CPR

Explanation

The out-of-hospital adult chain begins with recognition of cardiac arrest and immediate activation of the emergency response system. Every later link, including CPR, defibrillation, advanced care, and post-arrest care, depends on that first step being taken quickly.

Question 2Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

A bystander finds an adult collapsed and hears occasional slow, snoring-like gasps. How should these sounds be interpreted?

  1. Evidence of airway obstruction by a foreign body
  2. Normal breathing that rules out arrest
  3. Agonal gasps indicating cardiac arrest Correct answer.
  4. Signs of a seizure that require positioning

Explanation

Agonal gasps are ineffective, irregular gasps commonly seen in the first minutes of cardiac arrest and are not normal breathing. A victim who is unresponsive with only agonal gasps should be treated as being in cardiac arrest, with CPR and defibrillator use started immediately.

Question 3Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

What compression rate should be delivered during adult CPR?

  1. 60 to 80 per minute
  2. 100 to 120 per minute Correct answer.
  3. 120 to 140 per minute
  4. 80 to 100 per minute

Explanation

Guidelines specify a compression rate of 100 to 120 per minute for adults, children, and infants. Rates below this range reduce cardiac output, and rates above it shorten diastolic filling and reduce compression depth.

Question 4Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

For an average adult, chest compressions should depress the sternum by at least:

  1. 4 cm (1.6 inches)
  2. 5 cm (2 inches) Correct answer.
  3. 2.5 cm (1 inch)
  4. 3 cm (1.2 inches)

Explanation

Adult compressions should reach a depth of at least 5 cm (2 inches) while avoiding depths greater than 6 cm (2.4 inches). Compressions shallower than this generate insufficient intrathoracic pressure to support perfusion.

Question 5Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

How long should a rescuer take at most to check for breathing and a carotid pulse in an unresponsive adult?

  1. 20 seconds
  2. 10 seconds Correct answer.
  3. 30 seconds
  4. 45 seconds

Explanation

The breathing and pulse check should be completed within 10 seconds so that CPR is not delayed. Prolonged assessment delays compressions and worsens outcomes.

Question 6Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

In the pediatric Chain of Survival, which link comes first?

  1. Post-arrest stabilization
  2. Illness and injury prevention Correct answer.
  3. Immediate high-quality bystander CPR
  4. Early advanced life support

Explanation

The pediatric chain begins with prevention of the illness or injury that could lead to arrest, because many pediatric arrests are asphyxial and avoidable. Recognition and activation, CPR, advanced care, and post-arrest care follow.

Question 7Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

An AED arrives while a rescuer is performing compressions on an adult in cardiac arrest. What is the correct action?

  1. Send someone to obtain a second AED before applying pads
  2. Continue compressions and withhold the AED until the next rhythm check
  3. Complete the current 2-minute cycle before using the AED
  4. Apply the pads and use the AED as soon as it is ready Correct answer.

Explanation

Defibrillation is time-critical, so the AED should be applied and used as soon as it is available, with compressions paused only briefly for rhythm analysis and shock delivery. Early defibrillation is one of the strongest determinants of survival in shockable arrest.

Question 8Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

Which link distinguishes the in-hospital adult Chain of Survival from the out-of-hospital chain?

  1. Advanced life support and transport
  2. Early defibrillation with an AED
  3. Prevention with rapid response Correct answer.
  4. Immediate recognition and high-quality CPR

Explanation

The in-hospital chain adds surveillance and prevention of arrest plus a rapid response system, because deterioration is often detected in advance by monitoring and staff observation. Recognition, CPR, defibrillation, advanced care, and post-arrest care remain shared links.

Question 9Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

A person is unresponsive with slow, shallow breathing and pinpoint pupils after suspected heroin use. Which intervention is most appropriate?

  1. Give oral fluids to reverse sedation
  2. Place the person in a seated position
  3. Begin chest compressions immediately
  4. Administer naloxone and support ventilation Correct answer.

Explanation

Suspected opioid overdose with inadequate breathing is treated with naloxone plus airway and ventilatory support. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally with no pulse, standard cardiac arrest care including CPR and defibrillator use is then provided.

Question 10Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

A conscious adult with a severe foreign-body airway obstruction cannot speak or cough effectively. What should be done?

  1. Give two slow rescue breaths
  2. Deliver back blows and abdominal thrusts Correct answer.
  3. Encourage forceful coughing
  4. Lower the person to the ground and begin compressions

Explanation

With a severe obstruction and ineffective cough, alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts are used to generate an artificial cough that expels the object. If the person becomes unresponsive, the rescuer lowers them to the ground and starts CPR.

Question 11Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

After removing an unresponsive drowning victim from the water who is not breathing, what should the rescuer do first?

  1. Open the airway and give two rescue breaths Correct answer.
  2. Begin chest compressions before anything else
  3. Perform an abdominal thrust to clear water
  4. Wait for the AED before touching the victim

Explanation

Drowning arrest is typically hypoxic, so ventilation is prioritized: open the airway and give two rescue breaths, then begin compressions and continue conventional CPR cycles. Abdominal thrusts are not used to remove water from the lungs.

Question 12Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

A patient suddenly develops facial droop and slurred speech. Which piece of information is most important for treatment decisions?

  1. Blood pressure at symptom onset
  2. Presence of a headache
  3. Time last known well Correct answer.
  4. Blood glucose level

Explanation

Acute stroke therapies such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy are time-dependent, so establishing the time the patient was last known to be well determines eligibility. Glucose is checked to exclude hypoglycemia as a mimic, but it does not determine reperfusion timing.

Question 13Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

An unresponsive adult is not breathing but has a strong carotid pulse. What should the rescuer provide?

  1. No intervention until the pulse disappears
  2. Rescue breaths every 6 seconds Correct answer.
  3. Repeated abdominal thrusts
  4. Chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute

Explanation

When a pulse is present but breathing is absent, the problem is respiratory failure rather than cardiac arrest, so ventilation is provided without compressions. Rescue breaths are given about once every 6 seconds, with the pulse reassessed periodically.

Question 14Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

An adult in cardiac arrest has a wet, very hairy chest. How should the AED pads be applied?

  1. Place the pads over a medication patch
  2. Place one pad on the abdomen and one on the back
  3. Apply pads directly to the wet skin
  4. Dry the chest and clip excessive hair first Correct answer.

Explanation

The chest should be quickly dried and excessive hair clipped so the pads adhere and current flows through the chest rather than across the skin surface. Medication patches should be removed and the area wiped, since they can block current or cause arcing.

Question 15Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

What chest compression fraction should be targeted during resuscitation?

  1. 90%
  2. 40%
  3. 20%
  4. 60% Correct answer.

Explanation

The target chest compression fraction is at least 60%, and higher values are preferable, because every interruption lowers coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure. Pauses for rhythm checks, ventilations, and defibrillation should therefore be kept as brief as possible.

Question 16Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

A team leader states, "Give 1 mg epinephrine now," and the nurse replies, "1 mg epinephrine going in." Which element of team dynamics does this illustrate?

  1. Constructive intervention
  2. Closed-loop communication Correct answer.
  3. Knowledge sharing
  4. Mutual respect

Explanation

Closed-loop communication means the order is acknowledged and confirmed back to the leader so that the leader knows the task was heard correctly and completed. This reduces medication errors and duplicated or omitted actions during a resuscitation.

Question 17Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

During CPR, capnography shows end-tidal CO2 rising abruptly from 10 mmHg to 40 mmHg. What does this most likely indicate?

  1. Insufficient compression depth
  2. Esophageal placement of the airway tube
  3. Return of spontaneous circulation Correct answer.
  4. Excessive ventilation rate

Explanation

An abrupt rise in end-tidal CO2 to a near-normal value during CPR usually signals return of spontaneous circulation, because pulmonary blood flow has improved. Persistently low values below about 10 mmHg suggest poor compression quality or a low likelihood of survival.

Question 18Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

A woman in late pregnancy suffers cardiac arrest. Along with standard high-quality CPR and defibrillation, what should be done?

  1. Reduce compression depth to protect the fetus
  2. Delay defibrillation until delivery
  3. Maintain a 30-degree left lateral tilt
  4. Perform continuous manual left uterine displacement Correct answer.

Explanation

Continuous manual left uterine displacement relieves aortocaval compression while the patient stays supine, allowing full-quality compressions. Maternal resuscitative efforts, including defibrillation at standard energy, are performed without delay.

Question 19Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

An adult is witnessed to collapse suddenly in a monitored area, and a defibrillator is immediately at hand. Which approach is best supported?

  1. Move the patient to a stretcher before defibrillating
  2. Give two minutes of CPR before the first rhythm analysis
  3. Start compressions and wait for the code team before applying pads
  4. Apply the pads and defibrillate as soon as possible Correct answer.

Explanation

When a shockable arrest is witnessed and a defibrillator is immediately available, prompt defibrillation takes priority over a period of compressions. Rapid shock delivery within the first minutes of a shockable arrest produces the highest survival rates.

Question 20Chain of Survival and Recognition of Arrest / Emergencies

Which statement best reflects the post-cardiac arrest care link of the Chain of Survival?

  1. Survivors need structured neurologic and hemodynamic support Correct answer.
  2. Oxygen should be titrated to the highest achievable saturation
  3. Post-arrest care ends once return of spontaneous circulation is achieved
  4. Comatose survivors should be actively rewarmed to 39 degrees C

Explanation

After return of spontaneous circulation, patients require protocolized care including hemodynamic and oxygen targeting, temperature control, and neurologic assessment. This link of the chain is what converts resuscitation into meaningful survival.

Question 21High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

What is the recommended rate of chest compressions during CPR for an adult?

  1. 120 to 140 per minute
  2. 80 to 100 per minute
  3. 60 to 80 per minute
  4. 100 to 120 per minute Correct answer.

Explanation

High-quality adult CPR uses compressions at 100 to 120 per minute, a rate that maintains forward blood flow while still allowing some ventricular filling. Rates below this range produce inadequate output, and rates above it shorten the time available for the heart to refill.

Question 22High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

What compression depth is recommended for an adult during high-quality CPR?

  1. At least 2 inches (5 cm) Correct answer.
  2. At least 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)
  3. At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
  4. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Explanation

Adult compressions should depress the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) and no more than about 2.4 inches (6 cm). This depth generates enough intrathoracic pressure to circulate blood while limiting injury to the chest wall and organs.

Question 23High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

A single rescuer is performing CPR on an adult without an advanced airway. Which compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?

  1. 50:2
  2. 15:2
  3. 5:1
  4. 30:2 Correct answer.

Explanation

A lone rescuer delivers 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths for adults, children, and infants. This ratio maximizes the number of compressions delivered when only one rescuer is available to do both tasks.

Question 24High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Two rescuers are performing CPR on a child without an advanced airway. Which compression-to-ventilation ratio is recommended?

  1. 30:2
  2. 15:2 Correct answer.
  3. 10:2
  4. 5:1

Explanation

When two rescuers treat a child or infant without an advanced airway, the ratio is 15 compressions to 2 breaths. The additional rescuer allows more frequent ventilations without sacrificing compression quality.

Question 25High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Which action best promotes full chest recoil during CPR?

  1. Holding the chest down after each push
  2. Leaning lightly on the chest between compressions
  3. Pausing at the bottom of each compression
  4. Allowing complete recoil after each compression Correct answer.

Explanation

Full recoil lets the chest expand so blood can flow back into the thorax, which is required for the next compression to eject blood. Rescuers should keep contact with the chest but release all downward pressure between compressions.

Question 26High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

How often should rescuers switch the compressor role during ongoing CPR?

  1. Every 5 minutes
  2. Every 10 minutes
  3. Every 30 seconds
  4. Every 2 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

Compressors should rotate about every 2 minutes, ideally timed with a rhythm check, because fatigue degrades compression depth and rate. More frequent switching adds unnecessary interruptions, and less frequent switching allows quality to fall.

Question 27High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

What is the maximum acceptable duration for an interruption in chest compressions?

  1. 60 seconds
  2. 10 seconds Correct answer.
  3. 20 seconds
  4. 30 seconds

Explanation

Interruptions in compressions should be kept under 10 seconds, whether the pause is for ventilation, a rhythm check, or AED use. Shorter pauses preserve coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.

Question 28High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

What is the recommended chest compression depth for an infant?

  1. About one half of the chest depth
  2. About 1.5 inches (4 cm) Correct answer.
  3. At least 2 inches (5 cm)
  4. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Explanation

Infant compressions should depress the chest about 1.5 inches (4 cm), which corresponds to roughly one third of the anteroposterior chest diameter. This depth provides adequate flow while limiting injury to the small thorax.

Question 29High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Where should a rescuer place the hands for chest compressions on an adult?

  1. On the lower half of the sternum Correct answer.
  2. On the left side of the chest
  3. On the upper third of the sternum
  4. Over the xiphoid process

Explanation

The heel of the hand belongs on the lower half of the sternum, with the second hand stacked on top. This position compresses the ventricles between the sternum and the spine.

Question 30High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Which compression technique is preferred for an infant when two rescuers are present?

  1. Two fingers on the lower sternum
  2. Two thumbs with the hands encircling the chest Correct answer.
  3. Two fingers over the xiphoid process
  4. One hand on the lower sternum

Explanation

The two-thumb encircling technique produces better compression depth and coronary perfusion pressure than two fingers and is preferred when two rescuers are available. Two fingers remain the standard technique for a lone rescuer.

Question 31High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

An adult in cardiac arrest has an advanced airway in place. How often should ventilations be delivered while compressions continue?

  1. Every 4 seconds
  2. Every 10 seconds
  3. Every 2 seconds
  4. Every 6 seconds Correct answer.

Explanation

Once an advanced airway is in place, compressions are continuous and ventilations are given at a fixed rate of one breath every 6 seconds (10 per minute) for adults. This avoids the need to pause for cycles of 30:2.

Question 32High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Why should rescuers avoid delivering excessive ventilation during CPR?

  1. It interferes with AED rhythm analysis
  2. It raises intrathoracic pressure and lowers venous return Correct answer.
  3. It reduces the oxygen content of each breath
  4. It increases the risk of rib fractures

Explanation

Overventilation raises pressure inside the chest, which impedes blood returning to the heart and lowers cardiac output; it also promotes gastric inflation and aspiration. Each breath should be just enough to make the chest rise.

Question 33High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

An adult is unresponsive with agonal gasps and no palpable pulse. What should the rescuer do?

  1. Begin CPR with chest compressions Correct answer.
  2. Place the person in the recovery position
  3. Monitor the person for one minute before acting
  4. Give two rescue breaths first

Explanation

Agonal gasps are not effective breathing, and absent pulse indicates cardiac arrest, so CPR should begin immediately with chest compressions. Compressions are started before breaths because circulation is the priority.

Question 34High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

What compression depth should be used for a child in cardiac arrest?

  1. About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
  2. At least one third of the chest depth Correct answer.
  3. At least one half of the chest depth
  4. Exactly 3 inches (7.5 cm)

Explanation

Pediatric compressions should depress the chest at least one third of the anteroposterior diameter, which is about 2 inches (5 cm) in most children. Depth is judged relative to the child's size rather than by a single fixed number.

Question 35High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

How long should a rescuer take, at most, to check for a pulse?

  1. At least 15 seconds
  2. No more than 10 seconds Correct answer.
  3. About 30 seconds
  4. One full minute

Explanation

Pulse checks should be completed in no more than 10 seconds because longer checks delay compressions and are unreliable. If a pulse is not definitely felt within that time, CPR should begin.

Question 36High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

A rescuer's hands remain pressed on the sternum between compressions, so the chest does not fully expand. What is the most likely effect?

  1. Improved chest compliance
  2. Increased compression rate
  3. Reduced venous return to the heart Correct answer.
  4. Higher coronary perfusion pressure

Explanation

Leaning on the chest keeps intrathoracic pressure elevated and prevents full recoil, which reduces venous return and coronary perfusion. Rescuers should release all downward force while keeping the hands in contact with the chest.

Question 37High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

After an AED delivers a shock, what should rescuers do next?

  1. Resume compressions immediately Correct answer.
  2. Check the pulse for 10 seconds
  3. Give two rescue breaths first
  4. Wait for the AED to reanalyze

Explanation

Compressions must resume immediately after a shock because the heart needs circulatory support right away. The AED will prompt for rhythm reanalysis after about 2 minutes of CPR.

Question 38High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Why is a compression rate faster than 120 per minute discouraged?

  1. It reduces the time for the heart to fill between compressions Correct answer.
  2. It lowers the risk of rib fractures
  3. It improves coronary perfusion pressure
  4. It increases the depth of each compression

Explanation

Rates above 120 per minute shorten the relaxation phase, so the ventricles have less time to fill before the next compression. Rescuers who go too fast also tend to compress too shallowly.

Question 39High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

How much air should be delivered with each rescue breath during CPR for an adult?

  1. The maximum volume the rescuer can deliver
  2. Enough to cause the abdomen to rise
  3. A volume equal to the rescuer's vital capacity
  4. Enough to make the chest rise visibly Correct answer.

Explanation

Each breath should be just enough to produce visible chest rise, delivered over about 1 second. Larger volumes increase intrathoracic pressure, promote gastric inflation, and reduce venous return.

Question 40High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Which technique should a lone rescuer use for chest compressions on an infant?

  1. Two thumbs with the hands encircling the chest
  2. One hand on the center of the chest
  3. Two fingers over the xiphoid process
  4. Two fingers on the lower half of the sternum Correct answer.

Explanation

A single rescuer compresses an infant's lower sternum with two fingers placed just below the nipple line. Two-thumb encircling technique is preferred when a second rescuer is available.

Question 41High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

During CPR on an intubated adult, the waveform capnography value suddenly rises from 12 mmHg to 40 mmHg. What does this most likely indicate?

  1. An esophageal intubation
  2. A failing compression rate
  3. Excessive ventilation
  4. Return of spontaneous circulation Correct answer.

Explanation

A sudden, sustained rise in end-tidal CO2 during CPR, usually to 35 to 40 mmHg or higher, suggests return of spontaneous circulation because pulmonary blood flow has increased. The rescuer should check the rhythm and pulse.

Question 42High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Which intra-arterial pressure reading during CPR suggests that compression quality is adequate?

  1. Systolic pressure of 60 mmHg
  2. Diastolic pressure less than 10 mmHg
  3. Diastolic pressure greater than 20 mmHg Correct answer.
  4. Mean pressure of 10 mmHg

Explanation

A diastolic (coronary perfusion) pressure above 20 mmHg during CPR correlates with adequate compression quality and better outcomes. This pressure gradient drives blood flow into the coronary arteries during the relaxation phase.

Question 43High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

During a 2-minute resuscitation period, compressions are paused for a total of 30 seconds. What is the chest compression fraction?

  1. 75% Correct answer.
  2. 60%
  3. 85%
  4. 50%

Explanation

Chest compression fraction is compression time divided by total resuscitation time. In 120 seconds with 30 seconds of pauses, compressions are delivered for 90 seconds, so 90 divided by 120 equals 75%.

Question 44High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

A child in cardiac arrest has an advanced airway in place. What ventilation rate should be provided while compressions continue?

  1. 1 breath every 6 seconds
  2. 1 breath every 5 seconds
  3. 1 breath every 3 seconds Correct answer.
  4. 1 breath every 10 seconds

Explanation

For infants and children with an advanced airway, ventilations are given at one breath every 2 to 3 seconds (20 to 30 per minute) while compressions continue without pauses. Adults receive a slower rate of one breath every 6 seconds.

Question 45High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Two rescuers are performing CPR on an adult when the AED arrives. How should they proceed?

  1. Pause compressions to check a pulse first
  2. Deliver two breaths before applying the pads
  3. Stop compressions until the pads are attached
  4. Continue compressions while pads are placed and pause only for analysis Correct answer.

Explanation

Pads should be applied while compressions continue, and the only necessary pause is for rhythm analysis and shock delivery, ideally under 10 seconds. Preserving compression fraction improves the chance of survival.

Question 46High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

What is the recommended chest compression depth for an adult in cardiac arrest?

  1. At least 7 cm (2.8 in) for every adult
  2. 5 to 6 cm (2 to 2.4 in) Correct answer.
  3. As deep as the rescuer's arms can push
  4. 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in)

Explanation

Adult compressions must be at least 5 cm (2 in) deep to generate forward blood flow, and depths beyond about 6 cm (2.4 in) raise the risk of injury without improving hemodynamics. Rescuers should aim for this target range and allow full recoil between compressions.

Question 47High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

A lone rescuer is performing CPR on an adult who has no advanced airway in place. Which compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?

  1. 15:2
  2. 30:2 Correct answer.
  3. 5:1
  4. 50:2

Explanation

Adult CPR uses 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths, and this same 30:2 ratio applies for two rescuers until an advanced airway is placed. The ratio keeps the number of interruptions for ventilation low.

Question 48High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Two rescuers are performing CPR on a 6-month-old infant who does not have an advanced airway. Which compression-to-ventilation ratio is recommended?

  1. 10:2
  2. 3:1
  3. 30:2
  4. 15:2 Correct answer.

Explanation

When two rescuers treat an infant or child without an advanced airway, the ratio is 15 compressions to 2 breaths, reflecting the higher ventilation needs of pediatric patients. A lone rescuer still uses 30:2 for infants and children.

Question 49High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

A 3-year-old in the emergency department has a heart rate of 50 per minute with poor perfusion despite effective oxygenation and ventilation. What should the team do?

  1. Continue to monitor and reassess in 2 minutes
  2. Begin chest compressions Correct answer.
  3. Apply oxygen alone and wait for the rhythm to change
  4. Give atropine and observe the response

Explanation

For infants and children, a heart rate below 60 per minute with signs of poor perfusion that persists despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation is an indication to start CPR. Compressions are begun without delay rather than waiting for further deterioration.

Question 50High-Quality CPR for Adults, Children, and Infants

Where should a rescuer place the hands for chest compressions on a child?

  1. Over the tip of the xiphoid process
  2. On the lower half of the sternum Correct answer.
  3. On the upper third of the sternum
  4. Over the left side of the chest, beside the sternum

Explanation

Compressions on a child are delivered over the lower half of the sternum, using one hand or two hands depending on the child's size. This position compresses the ventricles while avoiding injury to abdominal organs.