Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

For which age victim is the two thumb-encircling hands technique recommended?

1. An infant younger than 1 year

2. A child aged 1-3

3. An adult

4. A toddler aged 3-5

The correct answer is: An infant younger than 1 year

The two thumb-encircling hands technique is specifically recommended for infants younger than 1 year old during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This technique is designed for providing high-quality chest compressions while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. Infants have smaller and more fragile bodies, so the two thumb-encircling hands technique allows rescuers to use their thumbs to provide compressions while encircling the chest with their fingers. This method helps ensure that compressions are delivered in the correct location and with adequate depth, tailored to the anatomical structure of an infant’s chest, which differs significantly from that of older children and adults. Moreover, it minimizes the risk of injury to the infant's ribs and lungs, as the rescuer's hands provide stable support around the chest while compressions are delivered. For older age groups, such as toddlers, children, and adults, different techniques and methods are taught to accommodate the larger chest size and the structural differences, thus emphasizing the importance of using age-appropriate responses in emergency situations.