Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

When performing CPR on an infant without an advanced airway, how many compressions should be performed before giving ventilations?

1. 20 compressions

2. 15 compressions

3. 10 compressions

4. 30 compressions

The correct answer is: 15 compressions

In the context of Basic Life Support (BLS) for infants, when performing CPR without an advanced airway, the recommended cycle is to perform a specific ratio of chest compressions to ventilations. The correct answer specifies that you should deliver 15 compressions followed by 2 breaths. This is based on resuscitation guidelines that emphasize the importance of high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood circulation while also providing rescue breaths to ensure adequate oxygenation. The rationale behind performing 15 compressions before giving ventilations is to maintain an effective balance between circulation and breathing during CPR, as infants have a high metabolic rate but a small reserve for oxygen. This approach helps maximize the effectiveness of CPR by promoting better blood flow and providing necessary oxygen to the infant's vital organs. It is important to note that the compression to ventilation ratio is adjusted based on the age of the patient. In the case of an infant, the focus is on delivering quick, effective compressions followed by immediate ventilations to support their life-threatening conditions. This method has been established to enhance outcomes in resuscitation efforts for infants and aligns with current guidelines for pediatric CPR.