Questions: Question 5 of 11
When giving chest compressions to an adult, what is the correct compression depth to use?
At least 2 inches
About 1½ inches
At least 3 inches
About 2 inches
Transcript text: Question 5 of 11
When giving chest compressions to an adult, what is the correct compression depth to use?
At least 2 inches
About 1½ inches
At least 3 inches
About 2 inches
Solution
The answer is the first one: At least 2 inches.
Explanation for each option:
At least 2 inches: This is the correct answer. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, the recommended depth for chest compressions in adults is at least 2 inches (5 cm) to ensure effective circulation during CPR.
About 1½ inches: This is incorrect. Compressing only 1½ inches would not be sufficient to effectively circulate blood in an adult's body during CPR.
At least 3 inches: This is incorrect. Compressing more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) can cause injury to the ribs or internal organs, so 3 inches is too deep.
About 2 inches: This is incorrect. While "about 2 inches" might seem close, the guideline specifies "at least 2 inches" to ensure adequate compression depth.
In summary, the correct compression depth for adult chest compressions is at least 2 inches.