22 Child & Infant CPR Practice Questions & Answers

1. 1. What is the recommended chest compression rate for BOTH an infant and a child in CPR?

   • A.80–100 compressions per minute
   • B.100–120 compressions per minute✓ Answer
   • C.60–80 compressions per minute
   • D.120–140 compressions per minute

   A rate of 100–120/min maximizes blood flow: too slow fails to circulate blood, while faster than 120 shortens the recoil phase so the heart cannot refill. The same rate applies to adults, children, and infants.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — high-quality CPR (rate 100–120/min)Report a problem with this question

2. 2. To what depth should you compress the chest of an INFANT (under 1 year)?

   • A.About 1.5 inches (4 cm), at least one-third the chest depth✓ Answer
   • B.About 0.5 inch (1 cm)
   • C.About 2.4 inches (6 cm)
   • D.About 2 inches (5 cm), at least one-third the chest depth

   For an infant, compress at least one-third of the anteroposterior chest diameter, which is about 1.5 inches (4 cm). This is shallower than a child (~2 in) because the infant chest is smaller; matching depth to chest size delivers force without overcompression injury.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — infant compression depth (≈1.5 in / 4 cm)Report a problem with this question

3. 3. To what depth should you compress the chest of a CHILD (1 year to puberty)?

   • A.At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
   • B.About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
   • C.About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
   • D.About 2 inches (5 cm), at least one-third the chest depth✓ Answer

   For a child, compress at least one-third of the anteroposterior chest diameter, about 2 inches (5 cm). This is deeper than an infant (~1.5 in) but not the adult maximum (2–2.4 in); the depth scales with the size of the chest.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — child compression depth (≈2 in / 5 cm)Report a problem with this question

4. 4. Between compressions, what must a rescuer allow the chest to do?

   • A.Stay compressed until breaths are given
   • B.Fully recoil to its normal position without leaning on it✓ Answer
   • C.Rise only halfway to save time
   • D.Lean on it to keep pressure steady

   Full chest recoil lets the heart refill with blood before the next compression, so the next push actually circulates blood. Leaning on the chest prevents refilling and reduces cardiac output, so rescuers must lift enough to release all pressure.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — full chest recoil / avoid leaningReport a problem with this question

5. 5. A SINGLE rescuer is performing CPR on a child or infant. What compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?

   • A.Continuous compressions only
   • B.15:2
   • C.5:1
   • D.30:2✓ Answer

   A lone rescuer uses 30:2 for a child or infant, the same as for an adult. With only one provider, stopping to breathe more often would cut into compression time, so the ratio stays 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — single-rescuer ratio 30:2Report a problem with this question

6. 6. TWO rescuers are performing CPR on a child or infant. What compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?

   • A.30:2
   • B.5:2
   • C.10:2
   • D.15:2✓ Answer

   With two rescuers, the pediatric ratio drops to 15:2 so the child or infant receives more frequent breaths — critical because pediatric arrest is usually caused by a breathing problem. The extra rescuer allows ventilations without sacrificing compression time.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — two-rescuer ratio 15:2Report a problem with this question

7. 7. How does the two-rescuer ratio for children/infants differ from the ratio for adults?

   • A.Both stay at 30:2 with two rescuers
   • B.Adults switch to 15:2 while children stay at 30:2
   • C.Children/infants use 15:2 while adults stay at 30:2 regardless of the number of rescuers✓ Answer
   • D.Both drop to 15:2 with two rescuers

   The pediatric ratio changes with the number of rescuers (30:2 alone, 15:2 for two), but the adult ratio is always 30:2. This is because children need more ventilations, so a second rescuer is used to deliver them.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — pediatric vs adult two-rescuer ratioReport a problem with this question

8. 8. Once an advanced airway is in place during pediatric CPR, how should compressions and breaths be delivered?

   • A.Give 1 breath every 10 seconds during pauses
   • B.Continue pausing compressions for every 2 breaths
   • C.Stop compressions entirely and only ventilate
   • D.Continuous compressions with 1 breath about every 2–3 seconds (≈20–30/min)✓ Answer

   An advanced airway lets rescuers stop synchronizing: compressions become continuous (no pauses) while a breath is given roughly every 2–3 seconds, about 20–30 per minute. Continuous compressions maintain steady blood flow, and the higher breath rate reflects children's higher metabolic needs.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — advanced airway ventilation rate (1 breath every 2–3 s)Report a problem with this question

9. 9. Under the 2025 AHA update, which compression technique for a single rescuer performing infant CPR is now DE-EMPHASIZED as less effective?

   • A.Heel of one hand
   • B.Two-thumb encircling-hands technique
   • C.The two-finger technique✓ Answer
   • D.Full-hand technique

   The 2025 AHA/AAP update de-emphasizes the two-finger technique because studies show it rarely achieves adequate compression depth. Rescuers are directed to the two-thumb encircling technique or the heel of one hand, which generate greater, more reliable depth.

   Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — two-finger infant technique de-emphasizedReport a problem with this question

10. 10. Which technique is PREFERRED for chest compressions when TWO rescuers perform infant CPR?

    • A.Two-thumb encircling-hands technique✓ Answer
    • B.One finger on the sternum
    • C.Heel of two hands
    • D.Two-finger technique on the sternum

    With two rescuers, the two-thumb encircling-hands technique is preferred: the thumbs compress the sternum while the hands encircle and support the back, producing greater depth and better blood pressure than the two-finger method.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — two-rescuer infant two-thumb encircling techniqueReport a problem with this question

11. 11. Where should a trained rescuer check for a pulse in an INFANT?

    • A.Carotid artery in the neck
    • B.Femoral artery in the groin
    • C.Brachial artery on the inside of the upper arm✓ Answer
    • D.Radial artery at the wrist

    In infants the pulse is checked at the brachial artery on the inside of the upper arm because an infant's short, chubby neck makes the carotid pulse hard to locate. Take no more than 5–10 seconds.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — infant pulse check (brachial artery)Report a problem with this question

12. 12. When opening an INFANT's airway for rescue breaths, the head should be positioned how?

    • A.In a neutral 'sniffing' position, without over-extending the neck✓ Answer
    • B.Chin pressed down onto the chest
    • C.Turned fully to one side
    • D.Tilted far back to maximally extend the neck

    An infant's airway is opened to a neutral 'sniffing' position. Over-extending the soft, flexible infant neck can kink and obstruct the trachea, blocking the very airway you are trying to open.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — infant airway neutral/sniffing positionReport a problem with this question

13. 13. For CPR purposes, a patient is classified as a 'child' from age 1 year until what point?

    • A.Until exactly age 8
    • B.Until age 12 regardless of development
    • C.Until the onset of puberty (e.g., chest/underarm hair or breast development)✓ Answer
    • D.Until the child weighs 25 kg

    Pediatric CPR guidelines define a child as age 1 year to the onset of puberty, judged by physical signs (underarm/chest hair in males, breast development in females). Puberty signals a body mature enough to use adult CPR techniques.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — definition of child (1 year to puberty)Report a problem with this question

14. 14. Which hand placement is appropriate for chest compressions on a CHILD?

    • A.Two thumbs encircling the chest
    • B.Fist held sideways on the sternum
    • C.Two fingers only, on the sternum
    • D.Heel of one hand, or two hands for a larger child✓ Answer

    For a child, use the heel of one hand — or two hands if the child is larger — on the lower half of the sternum. The rescuer chooses whichever gives adequate depth (~2 in) without excessive force, based on the child's size.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — child compression hand placementReport a problem with this question

15. 15. Where should a trained rescuer check for a pulse in a CHILD?

    • A.Brachial artery only
    • B.Radial artery at the wrist
    • C.Carotid (neck) or femoral (groin) artery✓ Answer
    • D.Temporal artery at the temple

    In a child the pulse is checked at the carotid (neck) or femoral (groin) artery, taking no more than 5–10 seconds. A child's neck is long enough for the carotid to be reliably felt, unlike an infant's.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — child pulse check (carotid or femoral)Report a problem with this question

16. 16. What is the FIRST thing a rescuer should do upon reaching an unresponsive-appearing infant or child?

    • A.Ensure the scene is safe, then check for responsiveness✓ Answer
    • B.Give two rescue breaths
    • C.Run to find an AED
    • D.Begin chest compressions immediately

    Always confirm the scene is safe before approaching, so you do not become a second victim, then check responsiveness (tap the shoulders or flick an infant's foot and shout). Only after finding the patient unresponsive and not breathing normally do you start CPR.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — scene safety and responsiveness checkReport a problem with this question

17. 17. You are ALONE and witness no collapse — you simply find an unresponsive, non-breathing child with no phone nearby. What should you do?

    • A.Give about 2 minutes (5 cycles) of CPR first, then leave to call EMS/get an AED✓ Answer
    • B.Leave immediately to call EMS before doing anything
    • C.Give only rescue breaths, no compressions
    • D.Wait for the child to start breathing on their own

    For a lone rescuer with an UNwitnessed pediatric collapse and no phone at hand, give about 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to call EMS ('CPR first'). Pediatric arrest is usually respiratory, so immediate oxygenation and circulation matter more than an early call. (If the collapse were sudden/witnessed, you would call first.)

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — lone rescuer 'CPR first' for unwitnessed pediatric arrestReport a problem with this question

18. 18. How should each rescue breath be delivered to a child or infant?

    • A.Two quick puffs in under half a second
    • B.As much air as possible until the belly rises
    • C.Over about 1 second, just enough to make the chest visibly rise✓ Answer
    • D.A fast, forceful breath to fully inflate the lungs

    Deliver each breath over about 1 second, using only enough volume to make the chest visibly rise. Fast or forceful breaths raise pressure in the airway and push air into the stomach (gastric inflation), which can cause vomiting and reduce lung filling.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — rescue breath over ~1 s, visible chest rise, avoid over-ventilationReport a problem with this question

19. 19. A child has a pulse but is not breathing adequately. What is the correct rescue-breathing rate?

    • A.1 breath every 10 seconds
    • B.Continuous breaths as fast as possible
    • C.1 breath every 2–3 seconds (about 20–30/min)✓ Answer
    • D.1 breath every 6 seconds (about 10/min)

    When a child or infant has a pulse but inadequate breathing, give 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (about 20–30/min) and recheck the pulse every 2 minutes. This is faster than the adult rate (1 every 6 s) because children have higher oxygen demands.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — rescue breathing rate with pulse (1 every 2–3 s)Report a problem with this question

20. 20. An AED is needed for a 3-year-old in cardiac arrest, but only ADULT pads are available. What should you do?

    • A.Wait until pediatric pads can be found
    • B.Do not use the AED at all — it is unsafe
    • C.Cut the adult pads in half to make them smaller
    • D.Use the adult pads rather than withhold defibrillation, ensuring the pads do not touch each other✓ Answer

    A pediatric attenuator/pads are preferred for children under 8, but if they are unavailable you should use adult pads rather than withhold a potentially life-saving shock. On a small chest, position the pads so they do not touch — often one on the chest and one on the back.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — AED pads in children (use adult pads if pediatric unavailable)Report a problem with this question

21. 21. On a small infant chest where two AED pads would touch, how should the pads be placed?

    • A.Both pads side by side on the belly
    • B.Stack both pads on the left side
    • C.Overlap them to fit
    • D.One pad on the front of the chest and one on the back (anterior-posterior)✓ Answer

    If the pads would touch on a small chest, place one on the front and one on the back (anterior-posterior). Pads that touch can arc the current between them across the skin instead of through the heart, wasting the shock.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — AED anterior-posterior pad placement on small chestReport a problem with this question

22. 22. An INFANT is choking with a complete airway obstruction and is still conscious. What is the correct relief technique?

    • A.A sharp squeeze around the belly
    • B.Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
    • C.Alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts✓ Answer
    • D.Blind finger sweeps of the mouth

    For a conscious choking infant, alternate 5 back blows (heel of the hand between the shoulder blades) with 5 chest thrusts. Abdominal thrusts are NEVER used on an infant because they can injure the liver and other organs, which sit relatively unprotected.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS / First Aid — infant FBAO relief (back blows + chest thrusts, no abdominal thrusts)Report a problem with this question

Practice questions based on the American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR & ECC and American Red Cross first-aid guidance. This is general education, not medical advice, and does not replace hands-on certification. To be certified in CPR/AED/First Aid you must complete an approved in-person course with a skills check. In a real emergency, call 911. Study official materials at cpr.heart.org or redcross.org. Official CPR guidelines →