Paediatric emergencies: infant CPR technique: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric emergencies: infant CPR technique

Sample item

Two health workers begin CPR on an 8-month-old infant. Which technique is recommended for chest compressions?

ATwo fingers over the xiphoid process onlyBHeel of one hand over the upper sternum to a depth of 5 cmCTwo-thumb encircling technique over the lower half of the sternum, compressing about one-third of chest depthDCompressions over the abdomen

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Two-thumb encircling technique over the lower half of the sternum, compressing about one-third of chest depth

In infants, two rescuers use the two-thumb encircling-hands technique, and a single rescuer uses two fingers, on the lower half of the sternum. The depth is at least one-third of the anteroposterior chest diameter, about 4 cm, at 100 to 120 per minute.

Option by option

A. Two fingers over the xiphoid process only
Compressing over the xiphoid risks liver injury.
B. Heel of one hand over the upper sternum to a depth of 5 cm
The upper sternum and 5 cm depth are for adult CPR.
C. Two-thumb encircling technique over the lower half of the sternum, compressing about one-third of chest depth (correct)
Correct. This is the recommended infant technique.
D. Compressions over the abdomen
Abdominal compressions are not part of CPR.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Two-thumb encircling technique over the lower half of the sternum, compressing about one-third of chest depth. In infants, two rescuers use the two-thumb encircling-hands technique, and a single rescuer uses two fingers, on the lower half of the sternum.

Why is "Two fingers over the xiphoid process only" not the answer?

Compressing over the xiphoid risks liver injury.

Why is "Heel of one hand over the upper sternum to a depth of 5 cm" not the answer?

The upper sternum and 5 cm depth are for adult CPR.

Why is "Compressions over the abdomen" not the answer?

Abdominal compressions are not part of CPR.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric emergencies: infant CPR technique in Pediatrics. The depth is at least one-third of the anteroposterior chest diameter, about 4 cm, at 100 to 120 per minute.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric emergencies: infant CPR technique?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.