American Lifeguard Practice Exam

Where should you position your hands to perform CPR on an infant?

1. One hand on the forehead and two or three fingers on the center of the chest.

2. Two hands on the abdomen and one finger on the throat.

3. One hand on the forehead and the other on the back.

4. Both hands over the heart and one hand on the head.

The correct answer is: One hand on the forehead and two or three fingers on the center of the chest.

To effectively perform CPR on an infant, the correct method involves placing one hand on the infant's forehead to maintain an open airway while using two or three fingers to apply chest compressions on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. This technique is designed specifically for the anatomical size and fragility of an infant's body, ensuring that compressions are both effective and safe. Maintaining an open airway is crucial during CPR, and positioning one hand on the forehead serves to stabilize the infant's head and keep the airway clear. The use of two or three fingers for compressions allows for precise and gentle pressure in the right location, minimizing the risk of injury while delivering lifesaving help. Other methods described in the incorrect options involve techniques that would not be suitable for an infant's physiology. For instance, using two hands on the abdomen or placing one finger on the throat does not adhere to the guidelines needed for effective chest compressions and could further obstruct the airway or cause harm. Similarly, positioning both hands over the heart may not engage the appropriate compressional area for infants, while also risking excessive force. Understanding the necessity of these specific hand placements is vital to providing appropriate responses in emergency situations involving infants.