Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

When performing CPR on an infant, where should AED pads be placed?

1. One pad on the chest and one on the abdomen

2. On the back between the scapulae and middle of the chest

3. On the arms and legs

4. Only on the chest

The correct answer is: On the back between the scapulae and middle of the chest

The correct placement of AED pads when performing CPR on an infant is indeed on the back between the scapulae and the middle of the chest. This method is used to prevent accidental injury to the infant’s heart and vital organs, ensuring effective defibrillation while minimizing risk. Placing one pad on the back and one on the chest allows for proper contact and current flow through the heart, which is critical for defibrillation to be effective in restoring a normal heart rhythm. In the context of the other placements, using the abdomen or the arms and legs is not appropriate as these areas are not effective for delivering the electrical shock to the heart. Only placing pads on the chest may not provide sufficient coverage or may not take advantage of the specific anatomical positioning needed for an infant, which differs from adults and older children. Proper pad placement is vital to ensure both safety and efficacy during resuscitation efforts.