Prepare for the Basic Life Support Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


When performing chest thrusts on an infant, approximately how deep should the thrusts be?

  1. 1 inch

  2. 1.5 inches

  3. 2 inches

  4. 2.5 inches

The correct answer is: 1.5 inches

When performing chest thrusts on an infant, the appropriate depth for the thrusts is about 1.5 inches. This guideline is essential because infants have smaller, developing bodies, and delivering the correct depth ensures effective compressions without causing harm. The technique used in chest thrusts is intended to create sufficient pressure in the chest cavity to help expel an obstructing object while being mindful of the infant's more fragile anatomy. It’s crucial to balance delivering enough force to be effective while avoiding excessive pressure that may lead to injury. Adhering to this depth of 1.5 inches aligns with the recommended practices outlined by emergency response organizations and is a fundamental aspect of performing BLS for infants safely and effectively. Understanding this depth is vital for anyone trained in BLS, as it directly influences the efficacy of the compressions during emergency situations.