Which statement is true regarding chest compression depth across ages?

Which statement is true regarding chest compression depth across ages?

• A. Adults require deeper compressions than infants
• B. Infants require deeper compressions than adults
• C. Depth is the same across ages
• D. Depth cannot be standardized

Answer: (A)

Chest compression depth should be adjusted to body size, with deeper compressions needed for larger chests. In adults, the chest is larger, so compressions typically target about 5 cm (around 2 inches), roughly one third of the chest’s depth. Infants have much smaller chests, so compressions are shallower, about 4 cm (around 1.5 inches), again aiming for about one third of the chest depth. Because of these size differences, adults require deeper compressions than infants. The idea that depth is the same across ages or that depth cannot be standardized isn’t accurate, since guidelines specify age-appropriate depth targets to optimize blood flow during CPR.

Chest compression depth should be adjusted to body size, with deeper compressions needed for larger chests. In adults, the chest is larger, so compressions typically target about 5 cm (around 2 inches), roughly one third of the chest’s depth. Infants have much smaller chests, so compressions are shallower, about 4 cm (around 1.5 inches), again aiming for about one third of the chest depth. Because of these size differences, adults require deeper compressions than infants. The idea that depth is the same across ages or that depth cannot be standardized isn’t accurate, since guidelines specify age-appropriate depth targets to optimize blood flow during CPR.